[Blue Archive] I am the Trinity Checkpoint Chief – Chapter 95

The chronicler declares:

The nature of the pre-faction conference can be sufficiently defined as a conspiracy of rebellion.

“What kind of gunfire is this in the sacred Tea Party hall?!”

“Shut it, you Gehennan sympathizer!”

The act of seizing the Tea Party hall in collaboration with the Host’s Guard carries the intent of striking at the heart of the system. It’s akin to those who ambushed the High Cathedral being branded as Trinity’s hostile forces.

This behavior satisfies the criteria for both treason and conspiracy. Disciplinary measures such as suspension, expulsion, or even erasure from the academy’s records are possible.

“They’ve locked down the communication room. They’re lowering the blast doors now.”

“They’ll handle it on their end. Alright—let’s fortify a defensive line centered here!”

Depending on the severity of the actions, individual students may have violated rules against assault and disorderly conduct. Firing weapons at others or restraining them by force could be interpreted as having murderous intent.

While applying manslaughter charges might be a stretch, the aforementioned offenses alone are enough to warrant a red mark on their permanent records.

In the case of Mineyuki Setsune, the Pater Faction leader and captain of the Host’s Guard, she would be considered the ringleader of this rebellion, undoubtedly facing aggravated punishment. It’s clear that most of those leading the Pater Faction will fall, and significant administrative chaos will ensue.

“Whoa—anti-tank cannon! Everyone, take cover!”

—BOOM!

A correction is in order. According to Trinity General School’s code of conduct, firing an OQF 17-pounder cannon within the Tea Party hall is a grave offense. Likely a rule inserted by a Host who despised muzzle flashes.

There’s a law about tying a student to the barrel and firing a high-explosive round, but whether it would be enforced is anyone’s guess.

“The defensive line has been breached!”

“What, are we surrendering now? We’re Filius!”

“…Understood. Long live Host Nagisa.”

The chronicler concludes:

This shall be defined as a coup d’état by the Pater Faction and the Host’s Guard. Let this be thoroughly referenced in future studies of the documents.

—Click.

The student quietly sets down the pen, sliding a magazine into the body of a Garand rifle.

“Long live Filius.”

May Trinity endure forever.

***

Rrrring.

Who’s calling in the dead of night? Such a lack of manners.

Grumbling, I picked up the receiver.

“It’s me.”

“…It’s me, Arisa.” Arisa, the manager’s voice, was trembling slightly.

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“Um, where are you right now? Something’s happened at the Tea Party hall.”

“I’m at the duty office. Don’t worry, I brought a few students with me this time, unlike last time.”

“That’s not the issue. It’s absolute chaos.”

What’s the deal? I’d heard rumors. Apparently, a group of administrators had been gathering at the Tea Party hall since dawn.

It’s not just the Tea Party in turmoil. Declaring a general mobilization and martial law is something that hasn’t happened in centuries, not since the Arius Faction was branded heretical. Chaos is unfolding, both in reality and in rumors. Most are cursing me out, but a few are trying to spread the truth, however slowly.

“Shh, don’t talk so loud. If they find out I’m contacting you from outside…”

“…What’s going on? Did Nagato-senpai get caught drinking again?”

“No, it’s not that.”

I heard Gehenna Academy’s in quite a mess too. With the Prefect Team leader absent for days, delinquent groups have started an uprising. The already dire public safety situation seems to be worsening.

There was an incident at the Pandemonium Society’s council where they tried to pass a declaration of war against Trinity but were stopped. But who cares!

It’s all screwed anyway.

When an academy this massive shakes, it creates its own shockwaves. The story of a student who got chewed out after their invested stocks crashed isn’t unrelated to Trinity.

One problem, though… The defense chief keeps calling me. Why are they so interested in me, of all people?

“The Pater Faction has staged a coup.”

“Oh, I see.”

Yeah, I’m used to being suspected of plotting a military rebellion against Nagisa-sama every other day. So what if it’s Pater…

“…Wait, what did you say?”

“Pater, those lunatics, started a coup!”

“…Oh, shit.”

Those idiots actually went and did it. The damn Tea Party hall never has a peaceful day—it’s practically a playground for troublemakers. Guess this counts as a loyalist coup, huh?

“We’re holding out in the communication room, but I don’t know how long we can last…”

“Arisa, don’t open the door until I call you again. Not even if gunfire breaks out.”

“…What are you planning?”

“You trust your senior, right? So, as the old Trinity saying goes—can you trust me enough that even if one of us reaches paradise, we’d come back for the other?”

“What’s that supposed to mean? I trust you, but…”

“Then we’re accomplices now.”

—Click.

Hanging up, I immediately started planning. In an era with hundreds of weapon types, quelling a coup is easy enough. After all, the Pater Faction doesn’t operate self-propelled artillery.

Two priorities: the possibility of negotiating with the coup’s instigators and the loyalty of Pater Faction members within the checkpoint.

—Click.

“Hey, boss. What’s up?”

“Tell every Pater Faction member still here to come out now.”

I chose the latter. In a suppression operation, having disloyal forces is a nightmare. The moment I arrive at the Tea Party hall, I could have a gun shoved in my face.

But I can’t just say, “Oh no, we’re screwed!” and resign. What’s the Pater Faction even thinking?

Seizing power to do what? Play king and strut around? Start a war? No way! Pater’s not that stupid.

There’s got to be another motive. Those guys who hate me wouldn’t…

—Clunk.

“Boss, loyalty.”

“If you’re gonna do it, don’t half-ass it, kid.”

“It’s useless, but… it looks cool, right?”

Yeah.

If you lot were truly loyal, that’d actually be useful.

“Why do you think I called you here? Anyone who knows, speak up.”

“No clue. Oh, wait—last night, they called us for some faction conference.”

“And?”

“Didn’t go. Factions don’t feed us, so why bother?”

…Were Pater Faction members always this carefree? I thought they were obsessed with authority.

“You guys okay with that? Wait, where’s Mio?”

“She’s at the Tea Party hall, punching her time card. Got a leave pass today. Apparently, she’s some high-ranking officer… like a manager or something. Said the new faction leader’s doing a crap job and was super pissed.”

Oh, really?

“Where’s Mio’s contact info… Oh, it’s at the checkpoint’s phonebook. Anyone know her number?”

“I do.”

Looks like my Gehenna-obsessed junior is more popular than I thought. But a mid-level officer in the Pater Faction? That’s news. A manager-level position means she’s high-profile, exposed to the media and all. Pretty big deal.

Taking the number from a member, I dialed immediately. After a few beeps, a girl’s voice came through.

“Hello. I don’t know who this is, but I’m busy and can’t talk long.”

—Bang, tat-tat-tat.

—BOOM.

Gunshots and cannon fire echoed clearly through the receiver. Whatever’s happening, the Tea Party hall is a warzone.

“It’s me, Mio.”

“…Captain Hikari? What’s up at this hour? It’s the middle of the night!”

Yeah, I know, but…

This is because of what your faction leader did.

“Where are you? I heard you’re at the Tea Party hall. If you’re busy, as your junior said, we can talk later.”

“No, no! If it’s you, Captain… Is something wrong at the checkpoint?”

“What’s the situation at the Tea Party hall? I know it’s late, but I’m planning to crash there tonight.”

“W-W-What?! No, it’s… not exactly a good place for you to sleep right now…”

Of course not.

Obviously not, you fool! You’ve probably met your faction leader multiple times and, unlike the students gathered here, you’re diligently following their orders. Naturally, you’d try to stop me from barging in.

But—I’m your club president. As Trinity General School’s Acting Commander, I can’t tolerate a faction openly defying my policies. Especially not through unpeaceful means.

“…Junior, I know everything. What did your faction leader say? ‘Let’s grab some power’?”

“…Huh?”

“I heard it all. From Arisa. You’re in the middle of a coup, right?”

—Eek.

A pitiful whimper from the exposed member. Or maybe it’s the fear of being interrogated later.

Doesn’t matter. I’m set on crushing them. I’m already struggling to manage the battle lines with Gehenna’s folks, and if a faction that despises them takes over… that’d be a real headache.

“Of the students involved, is Mio the only one from the checkpoint?”

“…Yeah. I tried contacting the others, but they didn’t pick up.”

“Get out here now.”

“Y-Yes.”

My junior hung up with a yelp.

“…Alright.”

This is good. Really good. This could be an opportunity.

They don’t know I’m intervening yet.

Perfect.

A chance to clear the obstacles.

“Alright, everyone, head back down. Grab your gear from the base.”

“…Sorry, what?”

I’ll forgive you with my boundless mercy, junior.

“We’re going to the Tea Party hall.”