The forces of Valar needed a new order of knights that would serve the Lord. Marius had believed himself worthy. After interacting with a legendary hero, it was surely correct to believe himself worthy of creating a knightly order separate from the normal legions.
What reinforced his pride even further was that the Queen Aurelia herself had given him several Archangels that would become his main fighting force.
The order would become the 5th legion, while obsolete due to the angel presence, it was necessary to provide a purpose to humanity.
He and his closest aides patrolled the encampment, their eyes scrutinizing everyone present. Aside from the Archangels, the human forces were rather small, mostly consisting of volunteers and new Christians.
Yet why would it matter that they were few in number when God led them to victory?
The answer was simple. It did not matter. Even if a single Christian was left to fight a horde of demihumans, they would end up winning due to God's grace, thus was the teaching of the great Cedric.
He grabbed the bible from his belt and placed it against his chest.
Before meeting the great hero, his destiny was to fight and die in what was considered the trash of the kingdom, yet now a better purpose was granted to him.
Create an order of knights to support lord Cedric.
He approached an armorsmith shop. While he had not had a chance to inspect Cedric's armor closely, he knew enough to order a replica.
He knocked at the door before making his way in, a blast of heat hitting him in the face.
The shop was rather quaint and simple, not fit for nobility despite being so close to Valar, yet his soldiers were not nobles. As the new soldiers of God, they had to remain humble.
"Is the order finished?" he asked the old man who hammered at the sheet of metal.
One final hit echoed before he turned his head up. "Ah, sir Marius. Yes, the order is complete. Please follow me," he said while gesturing for Marius to follow him.
The duo made their way toward the back of the workshop. The armor stands lined the wall, each wearing a different style of armor, but he did not care about them. Instead, his eyes fell onto the last armor in the row.
It was close to Cedric's. The great helmet, a white cuirass with a blood red cross, also protected the entirety of the body. A slight sense of excitement bubbled within his heart.
"It's perfect, sir!" He exclaimed.
"I am glad you like the prototype, sir Marius. I made sure to work really hard on it."
His fingers traced the cross. "I can tell, it looks like it has great quality."
The old smith rubbed his hands. "Now, with the matter of payment."
"Ah, her majesty Aurelia said she would pay for these," he said awkwardly.
"You should have said so, sir Marius. I would have sent a bill to the palace already!" He exclaimed, a small chuckle escaping his lips.
"Forgive me, it was just an exciting opportunity for me."
"It doesn't matter. Would you like to try the armor on?"
Marius nodded.
Without much wasted time, he grabbed the armor and disappeared into the changing room.
After a dozen minutes of struggle, he managed to snap everything into place. He moved his hands up and down, his fist clenching and releasing. "Perfect."
He made his way out the changing room and bowed before the smith. "Magnificently done."
"You don't work in this profession for many decades and stay bad at it," he said before bursting out into a loud laugh. "You are free to go. I will send the bill to the palace."
Marius nodded. "Actually, one thing before I go."
The smith tilted his head. "What is it?"
"Would it be possible to make 200 of these armor sets?"
The astronomical number made the old smith widen his eyes. "200?!" He shouted.
He nodded. "For each of my human knights and some spares. Would it be possible?"
The smith pinched the bridge of his brow. "How fast do you need them?"
"If possible by the end of the month."
The old smith sighed. "You are demanding the impossible. I will need at least 3 months, and you will need to send me some helpers. Despite my skill, I am old and frail."
Marius chuckled. "That won't be a problem, I will send the men here," he said. "Also, that bill goes to Aurelia, too."
The smith crossed his arms. "Sure. I will be waiting. I can start by the end of the week, and please warn Aurelia that this will cost a lot."
"Of course," he said, bowing.
The smith bowed back, and Marius made his way out of the workshop in a brand new suit of armor. "Hmm, I need to think of a name for our order, 5th legion doesn't fit well."
His gaze fell onto his cuirass.
"Crimson cross..." He muttered while walking toward the palace.
The armor was distinguished by the large crimson cross decorating it. In his mind, naming the order after it made sense.
'Order of the Crimson Cross.' He nodded; it was an excellent name. It would honor both their savior and the new purpose they would serve.
"Yes! We will be the order of the crimson cross!" He exclaimed before making his way into the palace.
While walking up toward the throne room, he saluted the guardian angels that lined the walls.
Despite the angels remaining motionless, he knew that they, too, offered their version of a salute.
Soon, he reached the throne room. On the throne sat the Queen of Valar. Her majesty, Aurelia.
She was flanked by her most loyal angelic advisors. Anyone who placed their eyes on the new ruler would be filled with hope, and he was no different.
In an instant, he kneeled. "Your majesty. I have decided to name the new order, The Order of the Crimson Cross!"