Blue Archive story · Volume 1: Foreclosure Task Force, Chapter 3, Episode 21
Vol. 1 Ch. 3 Ep. 21: Second Pursuit
2 scenes, 228 lines
1. Abydos Desert, Restricted District Sector 35-9
220 lines
Is everyone okay?
Th-Thank you... You saved us...
I-I can't do this anymore... I'm going home.
Me too... I can't believe I tried to get my hands on Abydos... I must've lost my mind...
The damages we suffered are immeasurable...
Yeah... I never should have gotten involved with a scheme like this...
Yes, you're making the right decision. The president has summoned all of Kaiser Group's forces here. The first wave will enter the district tonight.
The Abydos district will become a battlefield. Before that happens, please evacuate.
U-Understood...
Miss...
Are you okay, Butler?
...Wh-What have I done...?
Abydos is going to become a battlefield because of your actions. You've done something terrible.
...I didn't...want this...
...I know, Butler.
...You know?
Yes, you want the same thing...as the Foreclosure Task Force. The revival of Nephthys and Abydos... To restore its past prosperity...
...
But in the end, this was the result. Look around you, at your private equity fund.
...I know. But...
I just couldn't turn back, once I learned of the Train Cannon's existence.
I couldn't stop thinking about it. About how if we just had that, if only...
To be honest, I still feel that way. If only we had it, then Nephthys and Abydos could return to...
Yeah, but that's too much to ask for. ♧
...
Take care, Butler.
Wh-Where are you going? Miss?
I'm going to stop Hoshino.
I'm going to stop her from destroying the Train Cannon and dropping out of school.
B-But how...?
...Well. One way or another.
...
...I couldn't stop Hoshino again. I'm just so weak...
Are you still talking about that? Like we said, it's not your fault, Shiroko. Hoshino's just too strong.
...Cheer up, Shiroko.
Yeah...
Yes... I think this was Hoshino's plan from the beginning.
Rescue Nonomi, separate herself from the Foreclosure Task Force, and then destroy the Train Cannon...
Then Abydos wouldn't be held responsible...
Yeah... You know, there was just something off about Hoshino.
How do I say this...? It's like she's being chased by something only she can see.
Yeah... It's not that she doesn't think we can solve this together... She's just refusing to.
It feels like that time...
I think Hoshino...above all, she thinks that Yume would have wanted her to destroy the Train Cannon.
What? But she never told Hoshino that, right?
Yeah. But I think Hoshino's fixated on the thought that President Yume would've wanted that.
Why...?
I'm not sure. I don't exactly understand what's pushing Hoshino so hard...
But, it's probably...
Hoshino! It's a treasure hunt!
Hoshino...?
What? What now?
Why're you dressed like that, Hoshino...?
Huh? Oh, this...
Um... Are you trying to become a real fish, because you like them so much...?
What kinda ridiculous question is that? Of course not!
I got my clothes wet when I was trying to repair the pipes! I'm just wearing this while they dry out!
Heehee, the broken faucets on the field? You fixed them?
I gave it a shot, but it didn't work... It's more complicated of a job than I expected...
Heehee, I guess there are things even a genius like you can't do.
Are mechanical things difficult for you too, like they are for me?
Just what you said! A treasure hunt! Take a look at this!
It's really amazing, Hoshino.
You say that every time, but...I don't believe you anymore.
No, this time, it's for real! It's technically a rumor that's been floating around Abydos, but I found actual records!
You've "found records" for rumors before. Fool me once...
Valley of Student Council Presidents...?
Yes! They say that the previous Abydos student council presidents built an exhibition hall to commemorate their strength!
It's supposedly filled with a bunch of really valuable items!
If that were true, the school would've sold off everything worth anything when our financial problems started.
Yes, that's what you'd think, right? But this Valley of Student Council Presidents was constructed in a secret location, to protect it from thieves.
Even now, no one knows where it is!
That means...
Yes! It's completely possible that it's filled to the brim with tons of priceless treasures!
...And you want to go find it?
Exactly! It's a treasure hunt, Hoshino!
That obviously makes no sense! If no one knows where it is, how are we going to find it?
Heeheehee!
Okay, so, this is where things get interesting! I found this while I was going through some old student council documents.
From the members of the previous student council?
...What am I looking at? The page's all blacked-out, so I can't read what it says.
I think they were trying to hide something...but look right here!
...Is that an address? Abydos Desert Restricted District Sector 35-9...?
Yes! I don't know exactly where it is, but we have a clue! Which makes this totally different from our other hunts!
*sigh* ...Seriously, Yume?
I-I know it's only an address, but...still...
How many times are you gonna make me repeat myself...?
Um... W-Well, but...
This is no time to be standing around! We need to head there right now! Every second counts!
Yes! It's time for a treasure hunt!
Heehee. I have a good feeling this time. I think we're gonna find some real treasures!
H-Hoshino? Wait, you need to change first!
*sigh* No luck here, either? Waaah, another failure!
...Is this an obsession?
An obsession?
Not only for Hoshino and me...but for everyone involved with this...
The private equity fund, Nephthys, even the Kaiser president... Like moths drawn to fire... This obsession...
Hm...
"Obsession... Obsession, you say."
Regardless, our mission hasn't changed. We have to stop Hoshino.
You're right. If we destroy the Train Cannon, Kaiser will heap an exorbitant amount of debt on us.
But if we leave Kaiser be, they'll come into possession of the Train Cannon.
We need to find some kind of solution.
Yes. Stopping Hoshino's reckless behavior should be our top priority right now! There's no room for me to hesitate anymore!
Aren't things just going to keep ending up the same way? Beating Hoshino is just impossible.
Hm...
"Hm..."
No... That's not a solution either.
If the motivation behind Hoshino's actions is related to Yume...physically stopping her won't solve the problem.
This is Abydos High School's fight. Outsiders won't be able to help us this time.
I guess that's our answer then. This is something we have to do, right?
Yeah. That's the only way.
Then what are we waiting for? We have to go after Hoshino! To the Valley of Student Council Presidents!
But...does anyone know how to get there?
Hm...
I think Hoshino knew where it was...
I know.
Huh...?
Abydos Desert Restricted District Sector 35-9...that's what the President said.
That's one of the most desolate rocky valley areas of the Abydos Desert, 480 kilometers from here.
I believe there is a long-abandoned Trans-Desert Railway station at that address.
...Is the door over there open?
...The control system...is on?
I thought everything here was broken-down scraps at this point.
Nephthys administrator confirmed. Izayoi Nonomi...
I see. It wasn't broken. It just needed to be accessed using a Nephthys card...
So that's how they hid it all these years.
...The destination isn't Great Oasis Station. It must be the Valley of Student Council Presidents...
And there's another train that just left for the valley... That must be Eyepatch.
Let's see here... To operate the train...
...
It may look like an abandoned station on the surface...but it's actually a junction station with a hidden passage. It leads to the Valley of Student Council Presidents.
The Abydos Student Council must have used Nephthys technology to construct it.
If you activate Nonomi's authentication there, the hidden route will unlock.
Um... Th-That means...
Butler...
"Thank you for helping us, Butler."
...No. You shouldn't thank me.
I'm sorry...Miss.
...Butler.
There's no time to waste. You must hurry. Suou and Hoshino are already en route.
Okay...
But...who exactly is Suou?
...At first, I thought she was a Highlander student, but then she was actually under Nephthys, and then she seemed to side with the private equity fund, but then she was actually a part of Kaiser PMC... And now...
Why does she want Hoshino to go the Valley of Student Council Presidents?
Asagiri Suou was originally a delinquent we found wandering about, with no affiliation to any academy.
After she caught Nephthys' attention, we admitted her to Highlander to serve as your bodyguard.
My bodyguard...?
Yes, but after you withdrew your admission, the role was useless. We had completely forgotten about her.
But at some point, we realized she had worked her way up as a high-ranking overseer at the Audit Office.
That's why we approached her again, when the private equity fund incident occurred.
At this point, it appears I know very little of Suou myself... What her true identity or objective really are... I couldn't say.
I guess we'll find out when we get to the Valley...
However, at this point, the only way you'll catch up to them is with an incredibly fast bullet train.
Pahyahyahya! You need some help?
Your heroes! Are! Here!
Ah, you guys...!
We totally accidentally eavesdropped. You need a bullet train?
Wh-When it...comes to the Trans-Desert Railway, no one knows the route better, and we do owe you a favor...
I'm trying to say! We've got some skin in the game when it comes to the Trans-Desert Railway!
Mhm. Yuppies. They attacked us, just because. We're victims.
So we'll get you there safe and sound! All aboard!
I thought you were a bunch of dummies, but at least you know how to show gratitude!
Yes, yes. Thank you, Highlander Academy! ♧
We'll count on you.
Wowie! Bear witness to our super speed! Train drift time!
Pahyahyahya! That one's too dangerous for these normies, Hikari.
W-We'll be okay, right? Safety-wise...
"Thank you, CCC. We owe you one."
Speedy time.
Can we board now?
H-Hold on a minute. What's that fuel tank you are holding?
It's...hydrazine.
Pahyahyahya! Nooo, I just brought it, in case of emergency!
We're not gonna need it! ...Probably.
Probably...
A-Are you sure about this? You know, that's highly toxic, not to mention incredibly volatile...
Let's worry about it later, Ayane. I'm sure it'll be fine.
Yeah. Nothing'll happen.
We'll get you to the junction station lickety-split! So hurry up and get on!
*sigh*...I-If you say so.
Please take care of yourselves, officers...
Okay, we'll be back before you know it, so lay low for a while! Pahyahyahya!
Go, go!
I guess we have our pick of seats...
Wow! Look at this! There are seat belts! ♧
What?! Do trains have seat belts these days? B-But why? Is there a reason?
Well, roller coasters have seat belts too, so I guess it's not all that weird, right?
Yup, yup! It's like we're at an amusement park!
Okie dokie, everyone on board?
"Yes, let's get going."
Here! We! Go!
Aaaah!
Whoa! Intense G-force!
So, uh, is this the normal speed, Hikari?
Who knows? I don't. Since it's my first time too!
Pahyahyahyahya! I like it!
Uh oh. Trouble incoming.
Kaiser PMC is chasing us. On top of the train. It's an aerial assault. Right now!
Okay, just leave it to us.
"I think that's our cue."
...Yes! We'll fight them off!