Blue Archive story · Volume 3: Eden Treaty, Chapter 3, Episode 10
Vol. 3 Ch. 3 Ep. 10: Sweet Lies
1 scenes, 117 lines
1. Part 1
117 lines
Sensei, you're an outsider to Kivotos, so surely you understand the importance of promises such as contracts, deals...and other similar bindings, correct?
Have you ever heard the phrase, "making a deal with the devil"?
History is full of tales of transcendental entities being defeated by the very promises they made.
It makes you think, doesn't it?
A promise can bind you, control you, even define you. Whether it's spoken or even on a scrap of paper.
Contracts, commandments, promises... These are fundamentally important to the foundation of Kivotos, just like in tales of old.
For example, Trinity's scriptures tell of the ten commandments our ancestors promised to keep with the divine.
The text also tells us that, long ago, we were expelled from paradise for breaking that promise.
But you're already familiar with the power of a promise. You used it to save someone.
Recall what Gematria required of the Abydos students, a contract...
But once that contract was rendered invalid, Gematria had no choice but to retreat.
...
This incident is similar.
At its core, the Eden Treaty is an agreement between two academies.
However, consider the special site in which it was to be held.
Also evaluate the authority held by the representatives gathered to finalize the treaty.
The Arius Squad used these elements to twist the Eden Treaty into recreating the conditions of the First Council.
Even the guardians of the original commandments, the Saint Justina Council, were brought forth via Mimesis.
In other words, they've twisted the contract and manipulated its outcome for their own gain.
Much like how Gematria said adults should act, isn't that right?
...
Let me be clear. I know of that because I've been observing them through your dreams.
They're beyond my understanding, I'm afraid. Incomprehensible.
But, yes. Gematria are the ones backing Arius.
Now Arius has a formidable army at their disposal that will not relent and cannot die.
And they've done it under the name of the same paradise from which we were expelled: Eden.
AHHHHHH!
...
...
Oof. That looked like it hurt.
So naive.
Attacking without thinking. Have you lost your touch, Azusa?
Guerrilla warfare is your specialty. Outwit and attack the enemy when they're at their most vulnerable. Are you foolish enough to think you had a chance attacking me head on?
How much time do we have?
About five minutes. Both academies' reserve forces will have grasped the situation and arrived by then.
...
Your betrayal caused us to change our plans somewhat, but in the end, it was nothing we couldn't account for.
I expected Mika to join us today, but we have no use for that foolish girl anymore regardless.
Nagisa was a threat, but even she didn't suspect what would happen by simply attending the signing ceremony.
Even the Sisterhood has been disposed of, an added bonus.
So allow me to answer your questions.
We've stolen the Eden Treaty.
...
We dropped a cruise missile on the cathedral playing host to the ceremony, wiped out the zealots, and captured the treaty for ourselves.
You seem confused.
Did you forget, Azusa? We're entitled to represent Trinity.
...
Consider this treaty the revival of the First Council, the time where all factions that would make up Trinity gathered. All except Arius.
By reenacting that day, we still have authority.
The Treaty reads, "When a dispute arises between Trinity and Gehenna, the dispute shall be resolved through the Eden Treaty Organization..."
All we did was add to that clause. It continues to say, "...and Arius Satellite School's Squad shall act as said Eden Treaty Organization."
Th-That by itself wouldn't mean much. Well, if not for the commandments that is.
The Saint Justina Council.
The guardians of the commandments and Trinity's legendary armed forces.
To be exact, the ones before are just Mimesises, but they'll carry out their sacred duty all the same.
Any hostilities between Trinity and Gehenna will be considered a violation of the divine commandments and will be handled accordingly.
Now I understand.
This attack wasn't about eliminating the leaders of both academies or causing chaos.
This was about revising the Eden Treaty and securing those mysterious soldiers.
(sign language)
No, Atsuko. I can't go back.
It's useless to try to win her over, Hime. This one's will is too stubborn to be broken so easily.
That's right. There's been someone by her side encouraging that stubbornness, hasn't there?
A wicked adult that distorts the truth of this world and has filled your head with lies.
But now they've been dealt with. We can begin re-educating you slowly, from the very beginning. There's no rush.
What have you done to Sensei?!
You seemed to be enjoying yourself at Trinity.
Were you having fun? Did you take a liking to those people and think that they understood you?
How futile.
We're the only ones who could ever understand you. We're the only ones who would accept the real you. This is where you belong.
You've averted your eyes from the truth and been blinded by nothing but sweet lies. Your weakness is to blame for your defeat.
Do you wish to stop us?
Then destroy my halo, Azusa.
...!
The commandments will last for eternity so long as we, the arbiters of this treaty, still exist.
There's no other way to stop us.
But ask yourself: Are you truly capable of that? You failed your mission to destroy Seia's halo.
...!
You did your best to wash your hands of the matter. You even tried to deceive us. But in the end, you don't have what it takes.
It's only a matter of time before we find Seia again and finish what you couldn't.
What is this? A stuffed animal?
...!
Azusa! Still trying to run away?!
That was one of the Tea Party's support unit's artillery, Leader. They responded quicker than expected.
We're taking fire from 50 millimeter mortars in the other direction as well. Those must be Prefect Team grenadiers.
They also responded quicker than expected, even with Hina indisposed.
Gehenna has betrayed us! Defeat them, and save the wounded!
Visibility improving!
Gehenna grenadiers spotted up ahead!
How dare they lay a finger on the head prefect. They must pay for this. Wipe out Trinity's forces and save the president!
Support units, seek out and aid the wounded!
What about you, Senior Administrator? You're wounded.
Never mind me! All that matters is finding and securing the head prefect!
I-I've confirmed Gehenna and the Tea Party's reserve forces standing outside the cathedral have also begun to move!
Both academies' armored divisions will be here soon.
Azusa...
We can deal with her later, Leader. What are your orders?
...
We've secured the Council.
Next is Trinity. We'll use the underground passageways to infiltrate their campus.
Even if it was just for a time, Azusa came to call that place her home. She sought to replace where she came from with those delusions. So I'll erase it, there won't be a single trace left.
Th-That's what she gets for her treachery, huh?
...
We've infiltrated Trinity's inner grounds before during the attacks on Seia and Nagisa. This should be simple enough.
As for Gehenna, they can be dealt with at a later time. They're no threat without Hina. I have no objections, Leader.
I suggest we wait here until that wooden doll secures the tactical weapon we were promised. We can deal with the tanks and reserve forces in the meantime.
I suppose that would be for the best. Let's show them just who they're dealing with.
Welcome, Trinity, the originators of our suffering, and the contemptible recreants from the pits of Gehenna!
Wh-Wha...?! We're gonna fight them here after all?
Oh. Th-That's gonna be tough, really tough...but I guess there's no getting around that, huh? Heh...
Hear my words, Council! Follow the orders of the ETO and eliminate these heretics!
Wh-Who are they?!
A-Are these ghosts?! Ahhhhh!