Chapter 99

1.

Trinity Academy is exceedingly aristocratic.

When one thinks of “aristocracy”, what comes to mind first?

Is it something antiquated? Cultured?

The idea of cultivating flowers as a hobby, speaking in a refined tone, and behaving with immaculate etiquette?

The emphasis on history and tradition, following religious values while striving for justice and order? The ability to distinguish between good and evil, and practicing the virtue of noblesse oblige?

There are many aspects, but if I were to say what I consider to be the most aristocratic trait of Trinity, it would undoubtedly be “politics.”

Politics: the governance of a nation or group.

For a long time, “politics” was the exclusive domain of intellectuals.

More accurately, it was a possession that only the upper class could monopolize.

In early civilizations with tribal structures, the elders who had survived the longest led the tribes. After the concept of a nation emerged, the so-called upper class, known as the aristocracy, took over. In modern civilization, this role has been monopolized by figures such as members of parliament, presidents, and numerous high-ranking individuals.

Trinity Academy was an institution where this “political trait” was highly developed.

Whether it was due to the dual characteristics of Trinity or the tripartite system that formed Trinity’s environment, Trinity was a school that was deeply involved in politics compared to any other school in Kiburatos.

To a degree that contrasts sharply with the political apathy common among most students in Gehenna.

The T-Factor, which serves as Trinity’s student council.

The various factions of Trinity that support T-Factor’s political standing.

And the numerous agencies under the T-Factor.

The political environment of Trinity, with its intertwined positions, beliefs, and interests, could be aptly described as a complex and perilous wilderness.

For these reasons, Trinity remained politically unstable compared to other academies.

The essence of Trinity’s tripartite political system is mutual supplementation and restraint.

The goal is to prevent any one faction from exercising dictatorship and to lead Trinity by cooperating.

However, the biggest flaw of this tripartite political system, if we were to pinpoint one, is that during crucial moments when opinions diverge, problems remain unresolved and factional conflicts divert the essence, leaving substantive issues unaddressed.

This was the situation at Trinity.

Instead of solving problems together, they judged political advantages and risks and acted politically.

Given that they did not need to be actively involved on the ground, they stood back, observed all situations, weighed the benefits and costs, and issued what seemed like appropriate orders.

Unlike politicians from their past lives, they did not engage in much bureaucracy, but it was clear that they were not issuing purely operational commands either.

Thus, it was truly aristocratic in nature.

That’s how one could describe it.

The apparent peace and decorum of Trinity were partly due to this political stance, as it preferred intrigue over direct armed conflict.

However, even the students of Trinity equipped with this aristocratic mindset often found themselves in situations hard to judge.

The current situation was precisely one of those.

“Silk is… in our district…?”

When the T-Factor executive delivered the news, the expression of the girl who was handling official duties in the office suddenly contorted.

The girl’s demeanor revealed a deep discomfort, her cool and composed facade crumpling as she exuded an eerie aura. The T-Factor executive standing before her had no choice but to tremble and break out in cold sweat.

Because…

The girl seated at the head of the table, who was conducting the official business, was none other than the host of T-Factor, the de facto student council president of Trinity: ‘Kirihouji Nagisa.’

As Nagisa lifted her gaze off the documents and looked up, her beige hair swayed, revealing her elegant beauty.

However, her expression was twisted as if consumed by rage, exuding an aura akin to a malevolent spirit.

The executive, who had come to deliver the news, gathered all their strength to quell their trembling and continued speaking in a calm tone.

“Yes. It was just confirmed. And… the Justice Realization Department has been dispatched to the scene.”

“…I see. Understood. Then, you’re dismissed.”

At such a cold tone of dismissal, any of Nagisa’s friends present might have scolded her for being too cold.

Yet, the executive delivering the news happily complied with the dismissal, merely bowing their head and quickly retreating from the office.

For some time now, everyone within T-Factor who closely observed Nagisa knew that she had become extremely sensitive. Thus, many were fearful to enter her office recently.

The executive who had just delivered the news was one among them.

“…”

After confirming that the executive had left, Nagisa felt guilt for her sharp reaction and also deep exhaustion, so she had no choice but to massage her temples.

Squeak. Leaning back in her chair and looking up at the ceiling, Nagisa muttered softly.

“Hmm. What an opportune time for you to arrive…”

Nagisa heaved another sigh as if doing some dry washing.

The situation she had just been informed of was both welcome and added complexity to her already convoluted mind.

“…”

Silk had arrived at Trinity.

It was unexpected, but Nagisa had thought that this day would inevitably come sooner or later, so she wasn’t overly surprised.

However, Nagisa currently had no room to spare for Silk amidst her current situation. She was already at her wits’ end just trying to ‘manage’ Trinity.

“…”

“…Hah.”

Management. That word brought a faint smile to her lips.

Perhaps she had already failed.

Trinity was already in crisis, and what she was doing now might only amount to covering up and reducing the risks.

The fundamental danger still remained.

But she had no method or wisdom to overcome it.

She was all that remained.

A desperate situation. Surrounded by an isolating loneliness where trust was impossible, yet she had to push through this crisis.

As this thought surfaced, Nagisa’s gaze grew dimmer, reflecting an increasingly ominous demeanor.

“…I can’t give up, though.”

Nagisa was the host of Trinity’s T-Factor.

In essence, the student council president of Trinity Integrated Academy.

In the position above everyone, she bore the responsibility to protect Trinity at all costs.

Thus…

“Silk…”

The name of the hero, who had become a symbol of hope for the citizens, lingered in Nagisa’s mouth.

“Is it alright to trust her?”

As the Eden Treaty approached, the situations surrounding Trinity started to shift strangely.

Positioned at the helm as host, Nagisa knew.

She knew that something was off with the current Trinity.

The movements of the various factions were strange. The actions of her close friends were odd.

And even the rumors she was hearing seemed off.

‘Even at a glance, it might seem like baseless suspicion, but… I feel an ominous sense I can’t quite understand.’

From her vantage point, overseeing everything from above, she could see what others couldn’t.

The current Trinity was akin to a runaway train racing along tracks with a time bomb installed.

Fragmented suspicious actions and anxieties.

All of this combined, planting seeds of doubt in Nagisa’s mind.

This was fundamentally why she had fallen into what was called the ‘paranoia spiral’.

Perhaps it was her political instinct developed from governing Trinity for so long that enabled her to realize this.

The collapse of Trinity, or an event comparable to that.

Nagisa may have already intuited the impending disaster that would occur in Trinity, from this point onward.

Therefore, she unwittingly harbored a sense of hope with Silk’s appearance.

Would she be able to alleviate Nagisa’s current anxiety?

Could she pull her out of this desperate feeling and lead her towards hope?

“If you can, would it be possible?”

Nagisa didn’t trust Silk entirely.

In fact, she suspected whether Silk, who had arrived at such a convenient time, had some motive.

Still,

Suspicion and anticipation are different things.

If Silk could resolve the situation at Trinity,

If she could save everyone as the hero,

If she possessed the power to do so,

“Then, I will save Trinity, using you if necessary.”

Because it was her mission and responsibility.

She would do whatever it took to save Trinity and everyone within, including becoming a villain herself.

Even if it meant going against Silk’s sense of justice.

“That’s my role.”

Nagisa declared coldly with a frozen heart.

Her gaze, which had regained its icy intensity as she shook off the gloom, turned towards the window.

Outside the window, the sky had poured icy rain.

2.

Recalling the reason for coming to Trinity.

To resolve my inner demons, and one particular question, I have come to find ‘Yurizono Seia’, the prophet of Trinity.

I intended to ask her to use her prophetic abilities or inquire about several questions and seek answers.

And as an added precaution for the Eden Treaty.

However, there are two issues with my methodology.

Firstly, I do not know the location of Seia.

Since the game does not specify characters’ residences or positions, I have no choice but to search for Seia from scratch.

Though I asked Veritas and Himari-sempai, they could not find a proper way either.

And secondly, this was the biggest concern.

‘Could Azusa already have attacked?’

The possibility that Seia might not be in good condition at this point.

The reason I decided to come to Trinity was Seia, but it’s problematic that Seia gets attacked before the ‘Eden Treaty’ main story chapter 3 begins.

Because Seia’s attack itself is the root cause of the conflict and discord during the Eden Treaty, and practically the starting point of all catastrophes.

‘I’d like to prevent it if possible.’

However, the exact timing of when Seia will be attacked has not been clearly defined.

If by now, Azusa – the Trinity spy who attacks Seia – has already attacked her, the dialogue I planned for would be wasted.

‘Then it really would be a disaster…’

Seia doesn’t die from the attack, but as far as I know, she remains in a coma state through the latter part of the Eden Treaty story.

More precisely, I understand that she retreats into a dream realm and does not emerge into reality.

To extract her from the dream, I would need to meet her before she’s attacked.

‘Perhaps one hopeful sign is that it’s only been a few days since Azusa’s covert enrollment…’

The current date is mid-March.

Right before Chapter 2 of the main story, and months before the start of Chapter 3.

I thought.

When exactly will Azusa instigate the Seia attack?

And where is Seia currently located?

Walking through the streets with such thoughts,

It had already started drizzling, and those busking on the streets were gone. Now, people carrying black and white circular umbrellas were everywhere.

I walked along the streets with Silk’s outfit, unfurling the umbrella I bought from a nearby convenience store, observing my surroundings.

Well, this observation wasn’t casual. I was spreading my heightened senses widely to gather information as much as possible, although to others, it would appear as if Silk was taking a stroll while holding an umbrella.

Plop plop-

—Aaaah-

Mumur murur-

Truly diverse pieces of information reached my ears.

Most were unnecessary, but unlike before, I calmly filtered them out.

‘Something feels different since I’ve pushed my heightened senses beyond its limits. It feels like my capacity for information has expanded.’

When I previously spread my senses this wide, accumulating information caused me to instinctively feel a headache.

Now, it’s manageable.

Of course, the throbbing headache persists as time goes on, but nonetheless…

After walking for dozens of minutes collecting information, I had nothing tangible to show for it.

‘…Shall I give up?’

No, let me try a little longer.

I sat at a nearby bus stop, closed my eyes, and intensified my heightened senses to concentrate.

What I’m hoping for isn’t Seia’s direct location or such straightforward information. That’s something I wouldn’t be able to obtain just by walking the streets.

What I seek is…

‘The current status of Trinity, and… traces.’

To absorb almost every event happening in the city into my mind and instantly grasp the current state of Trinity, and its direction.

And further, if I can pick up on any minor traces that could infer Seia’s condition, that would be great.

Beep—.

As I started processing all existing information with my heightened senses, a ringing sound began in my ears.

But I didn’t stop.

Rather, I absorbed everything.

Piling. Accumulating. Accumulating more.

And so, a tower of information built up in my mind.

This information was entirely composed of sounds and words.

I didn’t need to understand every sound.

I just read the emotions embedded in the dialogues and extract the phrases.

Crackle crackle—

Infinite sentences swirled in my mind.

To the extent that overwhelming noises entered my senses and disappeared endlessly repeating.

The only things remaining in my mind were the few key sentences deemed the most important.

Once my heightened sense transcends its limits, it can handle what I would call a “transcendent” realm.

The word “transcendence” is a difficult metaphor to explain. But at this moment, experiencing the transcendence of heightened sense firsthand, I came to understand the meaning of the term.

Swallow information. Extract phrases. And retain them.

In short, all the information amassed for a single piece of information in just a brief moment is condensed.

Simply put, it’s summarization. More complexly, it’s an insight into the infinite.

Beyond merely perceiving human feelings, it’s the ability to handle them.

This is the further growth of heightened senses.

Soon, three sentences were engraved in my mind.

– [“The change in Kirihouji Nagisa’s behavior. Increasing sensitivity.”]

– [“The increasing voices opposing the Eden Treaty.”]

– [“Inability to track T-Factor’s activities.”]

With these three sentences, I could understand the situation at Trinity.

An instinctive realization reassured me while simultaneously sowing a seed of crisis in my heart.

It seemed there wasn’t much time left.

More precisely, it felt like the rifts between Seia, Mikagami, and Nagisa were growing.

Instinctively.

‘In that case, it’s time for me to move swiftly.’

Considering Chapter 2 of the main story was already just a few days away.

It seemed I needed to quickly accomplish what I aimed for here and return as soon as possible.

“Phew…”

After a brief continuation, I cut off my intense focus, realizing I had unknowingly been holding my breath, exhaling harshly afterward.

Since I’ve finished organizing my thoughts, it’s time to move.

The moment I slowly took a deep breath and opened my eyes,

“…Heh.”

An involuntary, hollow laugh escaped my lips.

Because:

“Hey~ Did you sleep well? Or, have you finished sorting out your thoughts?”

“…You’ve come in great numbers.”

“Of course, it’s only natural. Everyone knows how strong you are. So, I brought as many as possible.”

Black hair. Black uniform. Crimson stripes.

Students adorned with fiery halos.

The group that acted as the leading organization within Trinity.

The members of the Justice Realization Department surrounded me.

3.

I exhaled softly and said,

“Will you consider stepping back if I ask you to?”

“Hmm… We’ll decide after hearing the reason.”

“I can’t tell you.”

“In that case, we cannot retreat either.”

Haha.

We smiled at each other while looking into each other’s eyes.

The half-closed eyes of my counterpart—’Nakamasu Ichika’—curved slightly.

Still, my heightened senses informed me.

This girl, although her seemingly nonchalant smile, was completely focused on me.

“…It’s exhausting to have too much attention.”

“Still, you are a hero, aren’t you?”

“…”

Not only her.

Every member of the Justice Realization Department present here.

And the imposing aura I sense from afar, belonging to someone else.

All of them were aimed at me.

As if they were ready to fight me anytime.

‘…No, it’s just a pretense, isn’t it?’

Ichika referred to me as a hero.

But why, then, do they intend to fight me?

Their eyes are full of goodwill towards me, yet why do they aim their weapons at me?

A question lingered in my mind but was quickly answered.

“So, is it politics again?”

“…”

“Hmph. I don’t like it.”

Ichika remained silent, but I already found my answer in her silence.

Then, what I need to do is simple.

“Ho. I might need to run away because I’m scared.”

“…Is that so?”

“There are too many of you. Don’t you think?”

“True. Quite a few. It was worth bringing them all here.”

“Yeah. There are too many. So, do what you want—chase me or let me go. I’m leaving.”

I smirked.

The very instant,

Ichika’s half-closed eyes opened, and her grey irises gazed directly at me.

“…Thank you.”

“Please.”

“Haha….”

That concluded our conversation.

Boom!

I pushed off the ground with all my strength and soared into the sky.

Amidst the sudden movement, I saw the members of the Justice Realization Department looking up at me with mouths agape in astonishment.

Even Ichika.

Splash!

Still cautious of the formidable aura emanating from surrounding buildings, I launched a web towards a building.

At this level of presence, there should be only one individual in the Justice Realization Department.

I smirked again and took to the skies.

4.

“…Is it possible for a human to do that?”

At Ichika’s mutter, everyone nodded in agreement as if to confirm the same thought.

It was truly an incredible sight that defied comprehension.

A human being flew in the sky. And not with any aid, but their own strength.

Though they later used a web, the sheer power displayed in that initial leap into the air was beyond the realm of common sense.

“How do you think about it, senpai?”

And soon, a girl came walking out from a nearby building, shuffling strangely.

Plash-

Plash-

With each step the girl took, water puddles splashed loudly.

As she passed by fellow members, the startled cry “Eek!” echoed repeatedly.

An uncanny figure she was. Though she was regularly encountered, the apprehension persisted.

Ichika could do nothing but grimace as her eyes followed the sound.

“Tsurugi senpai.”

“Hehehehehehe… hukukukuk…”

“…You seem very excited.”

“Heheheheheheheheheheh….”

The girl’s eerie laughter continued as she conversed with Ichika.

Still, it seemed familiar for Ichika, as she nodded calmly with a tranquil expression.

“Hey~ It’s been a while since we’ve seen someone this exciting, huh. You don’t want to meet them again next time, do you?”

“Hukukukukukukukukuku…”

“Ah, so you also think the same, ne?”

The girl, ‘Kanzaki Tsurugi’, who engaged in conversation with Ichika, only responded with strange laughter.

Yet, this was Kanzaki Tsurugi.

The leader, in fact, of the Justice Realization Department.

Her basic appearance was like all members of the Justice Realization Department—black hair, black uniform, and a red halo.

A small peculiarity, however, stood out.

Her face was somewhat intimidating, and the front of her uniform seemed stained as if with blood. Additionally, her ability to speak was limited.

“…”

“Though… it isn’t just a little, right?”

Tsurugi’s fearsome expression could deliver a mental attack just by being seen.

If one didn’t have a strong constitution or wasn’t accustomed to it, they might faint just from meeting her gaze.

Of course, these minor flaws could never fully describe all that is Tsurugi.

After all, even in discussions of the strongest individuals in Kiburatos, Tsurugi’s name would unfailingly appear as one of Trinity’s mightiest.

“Ah, ah…”

Then, at that moment.

From Tsurugi, who had only emitted bizarre “noises,” a sound akin to human speech finally emerged.

“It won’t be… easy…”

“?”

The statement caused Ichika to instinctively open her previously closed eyes.

Although unclear what exactly was difficult,

Because she instinctively understood what Tsurugi said,

“…Hehe.”

Ichika couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable chill and thus responded with a light laugh.

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