[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 94

One thing is certain: Filius and Sanctus will fiercely oppose this.

Sending a declaration of war from the Communication Office without the other factions’ administrators noticing was near impossible. Since Yurizono Seia’s assassination, Chief Arisa has effectively been the Sanctus faction’s leader.

She’d obviously refuse to support it. I’d be lucky not to be called a warmongering lunatic.

The Filius faction’s issue is even graver. Though Host Nagisa-sama is unconscious, few can challenge her enduring authority. Her pro-Gehenna policies, despite clashing with Trinity students’ sentiments, still garner significant support.

The majority of the Tea Party follows Kirifuji Nagisa-sama’s path. With them controlling the Tea Party Hall’s diplomatic relations, the Pater faction’s chance to assert its will—likely the last—was the Ancient Cathedral ambush.

Despite winning the debate, Pater’s Sub-Leader, Mineyuki Setsune, felt uneasy.

She had plenty of ideas. She could threaten Chief Arisa or mobilize her forces to attack Gehenna.

But… those were temporary measures. With absolute numbers against them, what could they do if Filius and Sanctus allied and pushed back? Pater’s combat prowess, honed through protests, might give an edge, but it’s insufficient to turn the tide.

What Pater needed most was enforcement. The power to preach their agenda and crush dissenting weaker factions. Ironically, they needed their own military force, like Gehenna’s Prefect Team.

But… how?

With the proposal passed, they had days at best—24 hours if unlucky—to act.

The Intelligence Department was not on their side. They couldn’t let them catch wind of the Tea Party Hall’s suspicious moves.

Recruiting a large number of faction members in a short time would be incredibly difficult. Most students beyond the Tea Party Hall’s walls had near-zero political interest. They’d resent the noisy protests rather than join the cause.

Internal measures wouldn’t suffice. Bringing in an external force might be better.

For example, the Guard Captain. She was among the administrators who rushed to the Tea Party Hall after the incident, claiming Gehenna had declared war. Her anti-Gehenna sentiments, as a student serving the Host, were well-known in the Tea Party Hall.

Her support would be a huge boon… but unfortunately, she strictly separated public and private matters. Setsune saw little chance of her cooperating with the proposal’s execution.

Other clubs were an option. The Tea Party’s paramilitary organizations were sizable.

What about the Artillery Corps? Under Host Nagisa-sama’s direct command, they handle Trinity’s military firepower. If even a fraction joined, their overwhelming force could push the plan forward.

But that’s assuming they’d agree. Ekureya-san… would likely prioritize stabilizing the Ancient Cathedral.

Damn it.

Too many obstacles.

If only there were a breakthrough… something definitive. The one bridge she couldn’t see was blocking her path.

Setsune clutched her head, struggling to devise a plan, but… darkness clouded her vision.

She prided herself on having sharper political instincts than her predecessor. Yet, she couldn’t see it. Was this world too vast to comprehend? Was a girl’s ability insufficient? Was the nighttime affair just a mistake?

Think. What about reaching out to the Sisterhood? Pater had its own intelligence networks. The convent’s head, Utazumi Sakurako, was absent, and the Sisterhood seemed to pin Gehenna as the culprit.

Worth a shot?

But the relationship between them and our faction isn’t great.

It’s best to keep things within the Tea Party—inside the Tea Party Hall…

“Sub-Leader-sama.”

“—Eek?! …Oh, it’s you.” Startled, Setsune nearly dropped her brooch.

Who’s calling at this hour? The girl adjusted her glasses, glaring at the student by the door.

Thankfully, a familiar face.

A department chief, perhaps? Unlike others, she hadn’t gone to bed.

“…What is it, Mio-san?”

“The Guard Captain is here. She says she has urgent business.”

—The Guard Captain? At this early hour, with the sun barely cresting the clock tower?

“If you don’t mind, could you ask her purpose?”

“No need.”

—Click.

She pushed the door open without a moment’s hesitation.

“Setsune-san, it’s been a while. Doing well?”

“Your visit’s disrupting that peace.”

“Haha… well, that’s why I’m here.”

The atmosphere was tense. The Guard Captain casually sipped her tea, but Setsune had to swallow hard. She knows something—something harmful to Pater.

“I’m curious about what brings you here this morning. Shouldn’t you be guarding Host Nagisa-samaat the hospital?”

“The Host is stable and under treatment, so no worries. …Besides, isn’t that outside Pater’s purview? Even as a major faction, I’m the head of Trinity General School’s Guard.”

“Don’t dodge. Just state your business and leave.”

—Tch, honestly.

The Guard Captain let out a sigh.

“I heard the Tea Party Hall was lit up at dawn. Pater officers’ voices were loud and clear. I don’t know details, but it sounded like a convention.”

“…”

…How does she know that?

Was there a spy at the meeting? Security’s been breached.

“And… I couldn’t ignore what you were discussing.”

“…The declaration of war against Gehenna, right?”

“Exactly! Damn war talk. I hate those horned bastards, but there’s a line you don’t cross. Nagisa-sama and the Acting Commander are busy dealing with the Ancient Cathedral mess.”

“So you’re against it. But the Guard shouldn’t interfere with Pater’s internal proposal handling.”

Unfazed, the Guard Captain continued in her rough dialect.

“I know. That’s why I’m here to talk, not arrest you. Bullets are meant for those bastards, not for uppity girls who don’t know their place.”

It’s gone wrong.

Completely.

Mineyuki Setsune felt cold sweat trickle as she raised her teacup to her lips.

“…So what’s your plan?”

“Well, what about you? Which side do you want me on?”

Her intent was hard to read. Testing me?

“If Pater needs it, we’d appreciate the Guard’s help. We’re a minority, after all. I won’t beg you not to arrest me—it’s already out there. We didn’t even have a detailed plan.”

“…Is that so?” The Guard Captain seemed to ponder my honest response.

—Thud.

She suddenly slapped the table.

“Setsune-san, Trinity is crumbling. Those damn bastards are tearing it apart.”

“…”

“I… think if you really want, the Guard could lend a hand.”

Wait, what?

Suddenly?

“…You’re changing your tune?”

“Sorry, that’s just me. Pretty quirky, huh? Good thing it doesn’t mess with life. It’s nothing big—just feels worth a shot. No matter how high you fly, you’re still under the Guard.”

Her words stung my pride, but they were true. The Guard was the Tea Party Hall’s top military force.

“We’re grateful. If you truly support Pater’s cause.”

“I’m not sure about that. Those Gehenna brats, playing at war and moving ammo, are just boring.”

The Guard Captain offered a handshake, and Setsune accepted eagerly.

An unexpected path had opened.

***

At lunchtime, when most administrators left the Tea Party Hall for appointments…

At Sub-Leader Setsune’s strong insistence, the Pater faction held two consecutive all-faction conferences. Considering these typically occur quarterly, this was a historic milestone in Trinity General School’s political history.

With Filius and Sanctus administrators still in the Tea Party Hall, they had to rent a nearby restaurant. The pub owner was reluctant, but a fair payment smoothed things over.

Hundreds of students gathered in the restaurant, murmuring.

“What’s going on? We already had a convention. What’s Setsune thinking?”

“Who knows? Rumor is she met the Guard Captain. Maybe she got arrested.”

Various claims swirled. Some still fiercely debated supporting the proposal. As it barely passed with a majority, opinions on it were sharply divided.

When Mineyuki Setsune appeared, the crowd’s attention focused. The inexperienced sub-leader tried to hide her nerves. Taking a deep breath, the girl gripped the microphone with both hands.

“…I haven’t been arrested yet.”

—Pfft, haha.

Was it her half-joking, half-serious remark? The sub-leader’s self-deprecating humor had an effect.

“Good, good, everyone. Today will be a historic day. We found supporters for the proposal passed at dawn.”

Murmurs spread.

Who? Were there still forces backing us?

“Here she is—Trinity General School’s Guard Captain!”

An unexpected figure!

—Or so it was meant to be, but the audience still didn’t grasp her intent. “Isn’t she here to crush us?” some whispered, aware of their political antics.

Undeterred, the Guard Captain took the microphone from Setsune.

“So… dear audience, I suppose. I heard the rumors. They said I was here to arrest Setsune-san. Not true. I’m actually kind of on board with her idea. It makes sense.”

[“At the start of this crisis, I failed my duty to protect the Host. And the cause is undoubtedly Gehenna’s ambush. …If Setsune-san’s right, that is. Can we be sure it was Gehenna’s attack?”]

“Of course.” Setsune replied calmly.

No confirmation had surfaced, but that wasn’t important to Setsune, who didn’t want to miss this chance.

[“…Assuming Gehenna’s attack is confirmed, Trinity General School’s Guard will support you. I don’t like those brats much either. And I want to carry out Nagisa-sama’s revenge.”]

A bombshell to the audience, but in a positive way. With one of the Tea Party Hall’s largest military forces siding with Pater, there was no need to quibble over the proposal’s support.

[“Trinity must keep moving forward. We have to overcome this crisis.”]

[“I say they must face their responsibility. They… will meet our vengeance.”]

—Roar! Thunderous applause from the vast crowd.

Taking the microphone back, Setsune declared confidently.

[“Everyone—we will occupy the Tea Party Hall today!”]

No exaggeration. With the Guard’s military backing, Setsune set the course for the proposal’s execution.

Glory to Trinity, forever.