[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 58

It took less than two days for my senior to get back to me.

Last night, the checkpoint turned into a chaotic mess due to an unexpected ambush, so I had to leave it to Ritsuko-chan. Sayuri-san and the other agents all rushed to the border after a security alert was issued. My juniors are really going through it.

I should take them to a barbecue place when I get back. They’re carrying a lot of weight, and as someone who was at their rank just a few months ago, I can’t pretend I don’t owe them some reward. I know how tough it is for them.

Today’s schedule is a bit special. I’m attending a party-like event hosted by the Intelligence Department as the organizer.

Students everywhere, and I’m the emcee.

I’m nervous, but what can I do? I personally asked my senior to set this up to boost the kids’ morale before we kick off the operation to catch Gehenna’s spies. I’m the one who arranged this, so I’ve got to take responsibility… right?

“Hey, everyone—! Hikari-chan’s taking the stage as the emcee today—! Give her a good look—!”

Wooo—!

My senior, probably trying to save face for her junior, enthusiastically called for applause. But it didn’t have much effect.

The Intelligence Department kids don’t really like me. Roughly half of them belong to factions that aren’t exactly friendly with the Border Checkpoint, and the majority of those are from the Pater faction, who—let’s just say—get along with me splendidly.

Out of the few directors, two are Pater faction, and the rest are students I barely know. My senior’s cheering isn’t going to sway public opinion or change the way these kids look at me one bit.

In the end, I’ve got to roll up my sleeves. I took the microphone from my senior.

“Ahem—can you hear me okay?”

The crowd nodded silently, barely reacting.

Man, it’s been a while since I’ve played emcee in front of this many people. Sure, there were tons of reporters at the joint investigation press conference, but on a personal level, I think the last time was my promotion ceremony to captain.

I miss those days. Back at the ceremony, I was worried whether the kids would even listen to me. Now, that feels like a pointless concern. I may not know much, but I’m sure my kids like me.

Alright, back to reality.

“The reason I gathered all of you here today is because I have something to say. I know you’re shaken up from the recent incident, and it might be annoying to be called here by some superior you don’t even know, but don’t worry—I’m not here to lecture you.”

Some clapped, others… honestly, they don’t seem that interested. Pretty lukewarm reactions.

It’s just the start. Let’s do what I can.

“…Since the recent incident, some of you in the Intelligence Department—and at least me—have felt one thing deeply. Our beautiful home, Trinity, and the Tea Party Hall have a massive hole in them. That hole is in our security. It might be bigger than we realize. I can sum it up in one word: Trinity is under attack!”

I clenched my fist, shouted, and pointed to the banner hanging from the ceiling. A short phrase:

TRINITY IS UNDER ATTACK.

“I’m certain of it. Everywhere our eyes reach, they’re there—those who aren’t on our side, maybe even those we should treat as enemies… lurking in the shadows. I’m certain they’re among us. They might even be in this room.”

Honestly, I have no idea how many there are. How many could there be?

The Prefect Team Head knew about my big fight with Nagisa-sama. It was just before sunset, and unless they were on duty, there wouldn’t have been many students around after office hours to hear about it.

Could it be the Guard outside the door spreading rumors? No, they’re practically Nagisa-sama’s private soldiers. It’s unthinkable for them, who prioritize confidentiality, to leak sensitive information like that. It doesn’t make sense.

Unless one of them is a spy.

“I’m trembling with rage at this fact. Unfortunately, most of the blame will fall on you, the Intelligence Department. You’ll be insulted, disheartened, and it’ll take a tremendous effort to restore your shattered authority.”

“Why are you telling us this—”

“But! That’s not the only thing I’m grieving over. This is also the responsibility of me and the Border Checkpoint for failing in our duty to national defense. The hole in the Tea Party Hall is a hole in our borders. I’ve been living in shame since that day. We might not even deserve to stand under Trinity’s proud sky. To ensure that doesn’t happen, I’m standing before you today.”

I think I need to consult with Nagisa-sama or others about the scope of the Border Checkpoint’s responsibility. I’m certain that blindly dodging accountability for this incident could lead to even bigger consequences.

The students seemed to resonate with my words, at least to some extent. There are definitely more of them paying attention than at the start.

That’s a good sign.

“Of course, the Border Checkpoint’s business is my jurisdiction, so I’ll handle it. But I have something to say about the Intelligence Department’s work. You’re all capable, experienced students. Still, I think there’s something I need to say for your sake. Is that okay?”

“Go ahead, say it!”

“Alright, everyone, let me ask you this: What does the Intelligence Department do? What is security?”

Flash. A student with bright, sparkling eyes behind her glasses confidently raised her hand.

“The Trinity General Academy Intelligence Department collects information, provides useful analysis, and conducts effective espionage operations to achieve security objectives within and beyond Trinity General Academy… Captain Hikari.”

“Great, great. Your name is… Kaoru-chan, right? Excellent answer. You quoted the Intelligence Department’s creed perfectly… and you’re wrong.”

Kaoru-chan tilted her head in confusion.

“Our collective dream is the permanent maintenance of security. That’s a fantasy. Even if we send in the military to suppress threats, it’s impossible. We lack the time, the people, the budget, and even the will to achieve it. Security is an illusion.”

I wagged my finger, put my hands behind my back, and walked toward Kaoru-chan.

“You, the Intelligence Department, are like healthcare workers. We treat diseases. We identify symptoms, find the bacteria, and eliminate them. Whether they’re rampant inside or outside Trinity, that’s not our concern. If we don’t figure out the disease’s name or how to treat it for too long, they’ll slip out of our sight in no time. Right?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“A massive hole has been punched through the wall that divides the Tea Party Hall. When we opened our master’s body, we found the immune system collapsing and bacteria sweeping through it for all the world to see. What should we do? What should the Intelligence Department do, Kaoru-chan?”

“…We need to invest everything in finding the bacteria. We need to identify the disease and its symptoms, working day and night for days to administer the right medicine.”

“Exactly! Now you’re getting it, Kaoru-chan. That’s what the Intelligence Department must do. Don’t you agree, senior?”

My senior, caught off guard by the sudden attention, hiccupped and nodded.

I stepped back up to the podium. Unlike when I walked down to Kaoru-chan, I could see the students focusing on my words. My efforts so far were paying off, and it felt good. A smile naturally crept onto my face.

“That’s what we need to do. Unfortunately, while we might’ve been able to do that long ago, the Border Checkpoint is far removed from espionage operations. We don’t do that anymore. Instead, we’ll plug the holes. We’ll tighten inspections, enhance searches, and deploy students to areas suspected of spy activity. We’ll do the work of builders.”

“And we just take on the investigations as Hikari-chan said, right?”

“…Yes, exactly, senpai.”

My senior’s such a helpful person in times like this. She seems oddly scared of me, but she’s a kind senior I can always rely on. Even if she’s sweating buckets right now… hmm, right?

I turned my gaze from my senior in the back to the students. Their eyes were full of trust. This is why you need to give clear goals to students working in offices—it keeps them from wandering aimlessly.

“Everyone, starting tomorrow, I’ll be working with you. The Border Checkpoint will coordinate with the Intelligence Department. Find those damn disease carriers, and we’ll lock them up in the Tea Party Hall’s underground cells! Don’t you think that’s what we need to do?”

“Yes!”

“We can definitely cut out Trinity’s rotten parts, don’t you think?”

“Yes!”

“Then go out and get to work. The Border Checkpoint is with you, whether it’s a dark day or a bright one! Thank you, this was Yamatsu Hikari!”

WOOO—!

A round of applause on a whole different level from the start. This is what I wanted.

My senior, clearly not expecting this kind of reaction from the Intelligence Department members, gave me a bewildered look. I walked over and gave her a big handshake, but her hands were practically ice-cold. What’s she feeling right now?

With my business done, I left the office. Unlike earlier, my senior came running after me like she was using every ounce of strength she had.

“What’s up? Weren’t you hanging out with the kids?”

“I was just shocked by your speech skills, Hikari-chan. I thought you were just an action-oriented type, but you’re good with words too? You’ve grown a lot. When I first saw you at the checkpoint, I thought you were just a scary-eyed junior.”

“You pick things up when you roll around enough. But seriously, what’s up?”

“Oh, while we were at it, Kaoru-chan and the other kids gave you a nickname.”

In that short time? They work fast.

“What is it?”

“Intelligence Bureau Chief.”

“That’s you.”

“No, I’m the Intelligence Department Head. They say you’re like an Intelligence Bureau Chief.”

What does that even mean?

“What’s the difference?”

“They say it’s more authoritative.”

“…Hah.”

So I seem that authoritative they’re calling me a bureau chief instead of a department head.

I’m speechless. Honestly, what the hell.