Blue Archive story · Volume 3: Eden Treaty, Chapter 4, Episode 3
Vol. 3 Ch. 4 Ep. 3: Jailed Princess
1 scenes, 162 lines
1. Mika's Prison Room / Seia's Infirmary
162 lines
Since the Eden Treaty incident, the situation at Trinity is...precarious at best.
The public's opinion of Mika is steadily declining.
She's already been expelled by her supporters in the Pater faction, and it was confirmed that she'll be dismissed from the Tea Party at the hearing tomorrow.
People are convinced Mika is the main culprit in colluding with the Arius Academy to bring about the Eden Treaty incident.
"...!"
There have been riots demanding her dismissal, not to mention stones and even bombs being thrown through her prison window.
The academy bulletin board was flooded with criticisms about Mika... They've utterly vandalized her room in anger.
Her clothes and accessories were burned, and her belongings pilfered. The perpetrators haven't been caught.
"They're going way too far!"
...Yes. The Justice Task Force is doing their best, but we can only do so much against this mob mentality.
"They don't even know the whole story."
"I can't believe this..."
Mika has become public enemy number one in Trinity.
Mika has become public enemy number one in Trinity.
The student body may think all of this is the price Mika must pay, but...
The punishment doesn't fit the crime. I want to help her.
"I'll help. Just tell me what to do."
"Is there anything I can do?"
I thought you would say that.
I thought you would say that.
But I don't think Mika is willing to defend herself.
"What? Why not?"
She refuses to even attend the hearing. If she isn't present... Well, it'll be an automatic expulsion.
I wish there was something I could do to convince her, but...
If Seia were here, I'm sure she could do something... But as you've heard, she's currently bedridden.
So, I have a favor to ask of you.
"Okay. I'll try to convince Mika."
Thank you, Sensei. If it's you, I'm sure she'll listen.
She won't admit it, but she's been waiting for your visit.
*sigh*
That's at least a little off my plate, even if nothing's been resolved yet.
"Are you okay, Nagisa?"
Me? Oh, yes...
Somehow, I always will be.
Heehee. I can always count on you to worry about me. Thank you.
Anyway... Good luck, Sensei.
I said goodbye to Nagisa and went to go see Mika.
How dare she attack Seia? Bring her out!
It's repulsive that the witch is still part of the Tea Party!
Hang the traitor!
Stay back! D-Don't cross the line!
The traitor must pay for her crimes!
"(Nagisa wasn't exaggerating...)"
"Mika? It's me."
Oh, Sensei. Shhh.
"...?"
"Is that music?"
Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to finish chapel. They broadcast it on the TV, see?
Don't you think it's so mean they still make me take classes while I'm in prison?
I thought I'd at least get out of that.
"It was beautiful music though."
You really think so? I find it a bit boring. It's just that same strange line on repeat: "have mercy on us."
Kyrie Eleison... Even the name is lame. Why plead to some guy up there I don't even know exists?
And it looks weak to ask for pity, you know.
But the melody is nice, I'll give you that! It's just an ideological disagreement.
Oh, you know! You've never heard me sing, huh, Sensei? Do you want a performance?
I don't normally sing for free, but I'll make an exception just for you!
Like in the fairy tales where the trapped princess sings to her lover from a tall tower!
"Except we're in prison, not a tower."
"I heard about the situation, Mika."
"Why won't you attend the hearing? Nagisa is worried."
...
...
How's Nagi been? Is she holding up?
The Sisterhood and Remedial Knights leaders showed up uninvited?
I'm not surprised. A lack of authority is like a vacuum. As the Tea Party's position diminishes, the lesser forces around it are sucked in.
I'm sure she didn't expect them to confront the Tea Party so directly like that.
Poor Nagi. Has her stomach been hurting? It always hurts when she's stressed.
"Your safety is her biggest concern. I saw the crowds on my way here."
Ah... You did...
Well, what's a girl to do? I've never been one to care what others think of me anyway.
Nagi thinks she can defend me if I just attend the hearing, but we both know how naive she is.
The Eden Treaty incident did a real number on the Tea Party's authority.
As the public opinion of it dwindles, so does its political power. Obviously, it's my fault.
And if she really insists on defending me in these conditions...
...the Tea Party, along with Nagi and Seia's positions, will be at risk.
They can't shoulder that risk for me.
I've already cost them too much.
"You'll be expelled if you don't attend."
"I heard about your room, and your things."
...
"I think they're going too far."
Y-You think so?
I did mess up more than a little bit this time. Even if I get expelled...
...E-Even if they burned the precious mementos of Nagi's and my childhood...
...None of it erases what I did. And...Seia still hates me...
"No, Seia could never hate you."
"Seia's already forgiven you."
No, you don't understand. I tried to apologize a few times, but she...
No, you don't understand. I tried to apologize a few times, but she...
The last time I tried...
Hi Seia! Looking serious as usual! Did you stay up late again? You have to take better care of your skin. Here, you can use my lotion!
...
S-Seia?
So, um... Actually, I was wondering...
Do you want to eat lunch together? I'm afraid the only thing on the menu in prison is roll cakes though.
Nagi is seriously the meanest! Like seriously? Nothing but roll cakes?
Mika...
Y-Yes?
I'm sorry, but I don't have time.
O-Oh...? Right! Sorry! You're probably really busy!
I'm not feeling well. I'm returning to my room.
"Seia..."
...
Seia's completely isolated herself. She doesn't come out, and no one goes in.
She's always been a bit weak, but she's been really sick these days.
And I keep hearing things... Like they can hear her crying in her room...
I don't always really get what Seia's thinking or saying, but...
I can tell she doesn't want to make up.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
"I promise, Seia really doesn't blame you."
Oh, Sensei. Thanks for trying to make me feel better. I've accepted my consequences...
Oh, Sensei. Thanks for trying to make me feel better. I've accepted my consequences...
I just wish I could give her a real apology.
But I don't want to cause her any stress and affect her health...
I don't know how I'll go on if anything else happens to Seia.
"I'll go check on her for you."
S-Seriously?
"Of course. I want you to have your chance to apologize."
...!
"Then you, me, Nagisa, and Seia can go to the hearing together!"
"And the three of us will support you at your hearing!"
...
...
Wh-What are you saying, Sensei?
I don't deserve your help or forgiveness.
I really swore I'd never cry again. Why are you being so kind to me?
Well...
You win, Sensei.
Since you insist, I'll have to comply. Time to face the music.
"I'm proud of you, Mika. Really."
...
I've never really believed in fate... I'd given up on a second chance a long time ago.
Heehee. Maybe I really am a princess trapped in a tower?
Y-You didn't hear that, Sensei!
Please take care of Seia, then... Sensei.
Go to Seia's room.
Sensei? Is that you?
"Seia, you're so pale! What's wrong?"
Hm? You're...alive? How can that...? Is this a dream? Sensei, a-am I awake?
"What do you mean...?"
...
Oh, I'm sorry. I was still waking up.
It slipped my mind. You were meant to visit Trinity today.
I'm sorry again. The line between my dreams and reality has been so blurred lately.
The past, present, and future are all tangled up.
Ah, I'm just babbling.
"Everyone is worried about you. What's going on?"
Are they?
I guess I can't hide it... I'm not doing well.
If I'm to tell you this, no one else can know, okay?
...I've been grappling with an impossible problem.
"Okay, I'm listening."
"I promise, I will."
I had a...dream some time ago.
As you know, my dreams are often predictive of the future, as if I've entered a piece of reality destined to happen.
While these dreams happen often, this one shook me to my core.
Sensei, I saw the fall of Kivotos.