[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 155

Unexpectedly, Kaiser’s esteemed President treated me like a VIP.

Discussing contracts over the phone was tough, so we met the next day. As Checkpoint Director, I was in my uniform, casually throwing on a coat. Expecting little, I drove a truck to the Black Market alone for a couple of hours.

Arriving at headquarters, I was escorted by the president’s team. Shocked, I entered the reception room to find the President waiting warmly. Why? I let it go.

“…Sorry for the burden. The company’s situation is tense.”

The President’s demeanor shifted once the president left. Changing attitudes based on the company’s state—being a conglomerate head isn’t easy.

“Kaiser Construction went bankrupt the other day. To recover, we had to put 41% of shares on the market.”

The news was abuzz recently. Some criticized it as a cascade of mismanagement; others called it a signal of the construction industry’s collapse.

“But our report says an anonymous call offered to buy all shares if we sold 10% more for control. Absurd, right? It’s like telling us to give up the company.”

“…I don’t know who made the offer, but they’re not wise.”

I gave an awkward smile, unsure if it was fitting. I don’t know what he thought, but facing the President’s cold, mechanical eyes wasn’t warm.

He stared at me, then let out a hollow laugh.

“Haha, heard a death knell? Don’t worry, I didn’t call you for that petty scheme. If you’re uneasy, have some tea.”

His sharp eyes, unbelievable for a decades-old robot, didn’t change, but his demeanor softened.

I slowly lifted the cup, feeling awkward. I managed a smile, but it stayed stiff. Kaiser Construction’s bankruptcy from the Styria Crisis was a golden opportunity, and I ordered the purchase.

“They held on long, that president. Honestly, this damn panic was an unpredictable disaster. Selling apartments and signing deferral agreements didn’t work.”

“…The contract was a casual toss. Sorry.”

“No need. The Black Market’s common sense is money, not the youth Trinity girls talk about. Will Kaiser fall from your touch? I should thank you for rebuilding a collapsing company and paying debts.”

I’d heard plenty. Hoshino-senpai mentioned it too—they were meddling in internal affairs. He’s a machine moving on cold calculation.

Still… even a bad person is an ‘adult.’ Someone who’d pat a student’s shoulder.

“Brings back memories. Let’s get to the point.”

The President’s encouragement sparked excitement. Did I not expect this from a motor-and-oil ironman? Words overflowed in my head.

“The Black Market is collapsing. As many companies go bankrupt as people die daily. Simply put, you have no money.”

When a person goes bankrupt, families collapse; when a company does, society crumbles. Even I, who only knows cocoa costs, know capital moves the world. So, scale it up—what if a city or nation goes bankrupt?

An economic panic is like an earthquake. Its scope determines who lives or dies. Its location affects who’s hit. A massive quake kills everyone.

“The city’s already dying. It’s on life support, just a respirator. Everyone’s watching who escapes first.”

“I agree.”

Sipping Harrods tea while awaiting his response, the grim-looking President clicked his tongue and stood. Shaking his cyan tie as if struggling to breathe, his weak sigh was unexpected.

“You’ve never seen a panic, have you? For this city’s citizens, it’s a familiar ordeal. It’s like divine punishment—humans can’t control it.”

Trinity’s outside the panic’s scope, so he’s right.

“Our blood carries thousands of years of turbulent history. That’s what makes Black Market folk different from students. Every generation bears its karma. I curse and rage at this price, but I accept my share.”

“…I understand. It’s like Trinity trying to accept the Eden Treaty Incident.”

Borrowing his words, I carry inherited karma too. Our proud alma mater excommunicated the Arius Branch at the First Ecumenical Council, leaving a historic stain.

It can’t be erased, nor do we try. Like Sakurako-sama, we strive to move forward.

“I’ll reduce that karma a bit. I want to ease the suffering of Kaiser, its companies, and this city’s citizens. Fortunately, unlike you, Trinity has plenty of yen.”

“I’d rather ask: Isn’t this charity-like act part of influence expansion?”

“What can you do if it is?”

The President fumbled his cane. His eyes, meeting mine, were clearly shocked.

“Trinity has just cause. Before the Eden Treaty, how many firms exported weapons with Gehenna’s Pandemonium Society? We’ve claimed their price, but we could take more if we wanted.”

“You Trinity girls are outsiders. I’ll accept a price conscience can’t deny, but would they accept excessive demands?”

If they resist fiercely, I could bring an artillery unit for a show of force, but that’s burdensome.

“Still, we can do it. What’s wrong with buying stocks legally with money? Even if shares are issued at my ‘request,’ it’s not illegal. As you said, we followed money’s logic.”

Kaiser’s acquiescence or cooperation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Barely escaping the panic’s edge, we have capital’s superiority, not the influence of a decades-ruling conglomerate.

I handed over budget details and observed his reaction.

“…Listening to you, I thought you were reckless. But this time, it’s different. It might work.”

Oh—better than expected?

“It hasn’t been long since the Eden Treaty chaos, but your skill in backstabbing as Proxy hasn’t faded. No harm in good relations with Trinity, so I’ll acquiesce.”

“Thank you. I hope to maintain this relationship unless something happens.”

In business, not leaving evidence for light matters is foolish, so the President wrote a short contract for both sides. His handshake was firm.

“Director Hikari.”

His dry gaze met my lively smile.

“This society’s far scarier than Tea Party girls. Damn brats call themselves presidents, boosting egos, stabbing trusted allies in the back.”

“That’s why I’m meeting you instead of diving in, right? I know my place.”

A brief silence, then laughter.

“Pfft—true. Do well, then.”

I didn’t reply but shook his titanium hand harder, feeling a chill.

***

“The Ecumenical Council will convene within a week.”

Let’s thank Sakurako-sama’s envoy for calmly delivering the news. I had to visit the Tea Party at dawn to meet Nagisa-sama—hope I don’t catch a cold in this chilly weather.

The Council’s convening became reality. When was the last one?

The Sisterhood’s elder faction split between opposition and support, shedding tears for different reasons. As a Lutheran, I support reform, but I’m worried, unsure of its direction.

With the decision made, the Tea Party can’t intervene much. Sakurako-sama is just, so I trust she’ll lead the Council justly. If the Pater faction followed half her example, what a happy world it’d be.

As Arius Military Administrator—a soon-to-vanish title—I decided to ask Atsuko-san for understanding.

Because… a couple of their faction members should observe at the Cathedral, and the Arius Branch’s leader is practically a princess. I apologized for not discussing it earlier, but she warmly accepted.

I planned to email Sakurako-sama with this news, adding greetings.

We mustn’t turn from uncomfortable truths. Like Trinity now, we must unearth and correct past wrongs. The time has come.

…A bit serious, huh.

The Council isn’t the end. It’s not even the start of the end. But it’s likely the end of the beginning.