The Royal Gendarmerie Organization ranks fourth in the hierarchy of authority, following the National Guard in second place and the National Guild in third.
Unlike the institutions occupying the second and third ranks, the mission of the Royal Gendarmerie Organization is investigation, whether in internal or external incidents.
It was established 200 years ago by the fifteenth generation of the Shan dynasty with the purpose of suppressing the civil wars that had escalated at the time due to conflicts among Shan families, as well as addressing the neglect of society, which had been fragmented into cities resembling separate states before uniting under the banners of four major states and ultimately forming a unified kingdom.
And since that time, following the unification of human society under the banner of a single kingdom, the Royal Gendarmerie Organization sought to preserve internal stability and order within society, generation after generation.
What occurred in the land of Skars was a tremendous incident, the like of which had never occurred before in recorded history. It was therefore regarded as an exceptional and mysterious case.
As the sole survivor of that incident—previously believed to be deceased—still lived, he represented an opportunity that the investigators of the Royal Gendarmerie could not afford to miss.
"Then, if you'll permit me, there are specific questions you must answer in order to determine what occurred at that precise location." Investigator No. 655 turned his gaze to the director. "Mr. Rance, would you mind stepping outside for a moment? We will call you back once we are finished."
After a brief exchange of looks, the director rose calmly and said, "Yes. After all, this falls under the confidentiality of the Royal Gendarmerie's work."
He opened the gate. "Excuse me." He exited and closed it behind him, the room returning to complete silence.
"All right, Mr. Regas. Since you were present during that trial exam, did you accompany them on the mission to the land of Skars, specifically?"
Alengard gazed at him, thinking carefully to himself: All right, I'll try to answer in a way that closes any gaps of suspicion. That is the only way to get out of this investigation safely…
He replied in a calm tone, with a steady, confident expression, showing no suspicious movement or raised breathing.
He deliberately kept his eyes fixed on the investigator, revealing not even the slightest hint of doubt, and said, "It is true that I joined this trial examination conducted by the National Guild, but I did not go with the hunters."
Well, I buried Regas's body in an unknown location, which would eliminate any evidence contradicting my statement.
The investigator asked, "Are you sure, Mr. Regas?"
He stayed calm. "Absolutely. And if you have anything that contradicts my claim, feel free to present it…"
"Based on our analysis of the crime scene, the nature of the incident, and the time that has passed since the bodies were found, it seems the event occurred between noon and the afternoon yesterday. Where were you at that time?"
"Sleeping in an abandoned house, as usual. I don't have a permanent place to stay; I wander, with no family or friends."
"The next question: why didn't you go with the other hunters?"
"Do you want an emotional answer or a straightforward one?"
"Straightforward, please."
"I was cowardly."
Yes, it was in Regas's nature—weak and cowardly—and the fact that he was homeless made it easy for me to lie.
In fact, Regas died in that incident, so even if the investigators searched and asked, they would find no one to give them a straight answer.
They never saw Regas, and everyone who did see him perished with him in the land of Skars. "And I could not undertake that experimental mission, for I am not among the gifted, nor do I have any physical or combat skills. I thought I might succeed and become one of the hundred to pass that exam, but my fear of intruders made me back down." If I had my memory, I would have compared whether I lied like this in my previous life, because even without it, it still seems exaggerated—but it was a necessary act I had to perform.
"Is that so," wrote Investigator No. 655, the last words Regas had said, then closed the investigation file and put the pen in his coat pocket. Investigator No. 656 added, "Do you know anything about the Tomb of the Virgin Queen, or in other words… the Holy Coffin?"