Blue Archive story · Volume 1: Foreclosure Task Force, Chapter 2, Episode 16
Vol. 1 Ch. 2 Ep. 16: Battle Between Adults
1 scenes, 144 lines
1. Part 1
144 lines
We know who you are. An enigmatic individual chosen by the General Student Council president.
Owner of the artifact known as the Shittim Chest. The Sensei of Schale, the Federal Investigation Club.
Others tend to underestimate you, but we won't make the same mistake.
First, let me make something clear.
We have no interest in a conflict with you.
In fact, we want to work with you...
...because otherwise, you represent the largest obstacle to our plans.
Wiping out an insignificant school like Abydos is child's play. However, we'd rather avoid the consequence of starting a war with you in the process.
"Who are you people?"
Oh, dear. Have we not introduced ourselves?
We are outsiders to Kivotos, the same as you... Ah, but that doesn't mean we came from the same place.
For the time being, we've found a suitable name to borrow. Please call us Gematria.
And I'm fine with going by "Black Suit," Sensei. I've grown quite fond of that name.
We, Gematria, are...observers, explorers, and researchers.
An inexplicable existence, much like you.
So allow me to formally ask. Do you have any interest in working with us? With Gematria?
"No."
"Never."
...
...
If not, then tell me... What is it that you seek in Kivotos? We can elucidate all manner of secrets and truths should you accept our proposal.
"Not interested."
"All I want is to take Hoshino back."
Ha. Haha.
Ha. Haha.
Do you truly believe your actions are just, Sensei? What right do you have to make such demands?
Hoshino is no longer a student of Abydos. Haven't you seen her withdrawal papers?
"Hoshino never dropped out of school."
Hmm?
"See? I'm her club advisor and I never signed that document."
...
"That means she's still part of the Foreclosure Task Force."
"She is still vice president of the Abydos Student Council."
"And she is and will forever be one of my students."
I see...
You're their teacher. Major changes in your students' lives must have your approval.
The logic is easy to understand.
Academies and their students... Teachers... Hmm. How bothersome.
"You deceived children, trampled on their hearts, and took advantage of their suffering."
Indeed. We have used the misfortune of others as stepping stones for our benefit.
I won't deny it. If you must call it evil, so be it.
Evil, but it is legal.
Don't be mistaken, Sensei.
The disaster that struck Abydos was not our doing.
A sandstorm consuming a city, it's rare, but not impossible. A natural disaster, nothing more.
We merely took advantage of the opportunity.
Imagine providing water to someone dying of thirst in a desert. Would it not be fair to expect that person to repay you with their life?
This is no different.
A tale as old as time. It is not our burden to bear.
We didn't create this world, nor will it change if we step aside.
The strong exploit the weak. The knowledgeable exploit the ignorant.
Every adult knows that to be true. Isn't that right?
So...leave Abydos behind, Sensei.
Give us Hoshino, and the school will remain intact.
Kaiser PMC's forces present no challenge for us.
Your students can continue attending Abydos to the best of their meager abilities.
Isn't that what Hoshino wanted? What do you say?
Refuse.
...Why?
Why are you so desperate to stand in our way? You are powerless!
How do you plan to fight us?!
Take out your credit card.
...
But, Sensei...
I've never concerned myself with such quotidian matters, but I understand the rules to its system.
The more you use it, the more it eats away at you, your life, your time.
...I'm right, aren't I?
So put the card away, Sensei. You have a life to live, don't you?
You need to eat, ride the subway, pay rent, and deal with trivial, mundane things like that.
That's what you should be focusing on, Sensei. Spend your efforts on something worthwhile. Not those kids.
So just leave it be.
This isn't your fight.
Refuse.
Why...? Why? Why? Why? Why?! WHY?!
I don't understand. Why? I can't get it. Why would you refuse?
Why, Sensei? For what?
"Not a single adult took responsibility for their suffering."
...You can't be serious.
So you think that responsibility falls on you? You're not their guardian. You're not their family.
You were just a stranger, called to Abydos by chance, who happened to meet them.
Why go through all this trouble? Why burden yourself with a responsibility that was never yours to begin with?
"Because that's what it means to be an adult."
...
Ah... I see.
You believe that being an adult means taking responsibility?
No, Sensei. That's where you're wrong.
Adults are the ones who transform society, set rules and laws, designate the norm, and define the boundary between ordinary and extraordinary.
Adults rule the aimless with authority, the ignorant with knowledge, and the weak with power. That is what it means to be an adult.
Someone like you.
You could have ruled over all of Kivotos.
You had it all for a brief moment: unfathomable power and authority over this city, its Mystics...
And yet, you cast it all aside without a second thought.
I simply don't understand.
Tell me, why make such a choice? Truth, influence, riches, power... Your choice left you with none of those. So why?!
"Even if I told you, you would never understand."
...
Very well. These negotiations are over.
I did like you, but you've left me with no choice.
Do you wish to save Hoshino, Sensei?
She's being held in the lab of the PMC base at the center of the Abydos Desert.
Mimesis has shown us the other side of Mystic: Terror. Now we shall see if the same can be done with a living student.
Hoshino is our guinea pig to use however we want.
And if she doesn't produce results, we'll move on to the wolf god. Though even that doesn't seem to be a feasible option at this point.
Try saving your kidnapped student.
...Do your best.
...
Sensei.
...Gematria will be watching you.
Return.
Welcome back, Sensei.
Hey! There you are, Sensei.
Sensei!
Sensei...
"We save Hoshino."
"We save Hoshino!"
"We WILL save Hoshino!!!"
Agreed. We're with you, Sensei.
Agreed. We're with you, Sensei.
Agreed. We're with you, Sensei.
"We won't stop until we bring her home!"
Yes! Understood.
"And then we're going to give her a piece of our minds!"
That's right! She went back on her word and needs to be taught a lesson! A super scary lesson!
"After we save Hoshino, we'll tell her, 'Welcome back,' and she'll say, 'I'm home!'"
I will.
You will?!
I'll do it too! You don't have to, Serika.
Are you serious?!
U-um... I-I'll think about it... B-but...it does kinda feel like the proper thing to do...
Ugh, fine, do whatever you want! There's no way I'm doing something that embarrassing!!
Haha. Then it's settled. Let's prepare for battle...
What about Problem Solver?
They did help us earlier, but they took off after that. I don't know if we can ask them for another favor.
Why not?! Think of all the trouble they caused us!
"I have an idea."