The existence of the Order Militant has always been publicly acknowledged by Eden Vital, even if its purpose was more obscured. Generally it was assumed that Militant was a vestigial remnant of a time when, like many other religious orders, Eden Vital needed to maintain some men-at-arms to defend pilgrims and provide general security in the absence of any other local authorities. With the development of the modern nation-state in the 18th and 19th centuries, the need and indeed tolerance for such religious armies faded, as governments became increasingly wary of any privately controlled military force.
Even so, Militant continued to exist, their roles for the most part not much changed. Their members continued to provide security for some of the Order's most important facilities, as well as any missions bearing aid to less developed regions in the world. The emphasis however remained just that, of providing security, not of fighting some active conflict, publicly at least. Privately, many historians are of the belief that Eden Vital has employed its trained personnel to handle some matter or another of particular sensitivity, often at the behest of their British or Britannian patrons. What remains contended however is whether the Order is obliged to act upon such a behest, or if it possesses the discretion to decline.
The Order Militant first truly entered the public consciousness during the Great Schism, when the cardinal responsible for that particular order was appointed viceroy of Administrative Area 11, Japan. The efficiency with which Cardinal Lelouch Lamperouge eased Japan's integration into the rest of the Empire showed that over the iron fist that was Eden Vital's church militant, was a fine, silken glove.
-On Humble Origins: The Order of Eden Vital
End Interlude
The next chapter is actually almost done, just need to wrap up the final scene and maybe do a readthrough to deal with any issues. Maybe. In the meantime, a very short interlude for more worldbuilding.
Was the general public aware of Lelouch's position as cardinal of the Order Militant? Sort of. But the fact of the matter was, most people treated the Order Militant as little more than glorified security guards. As such Lelouch being known as its cardinal did not especially mark him, or the Order, as anything special. Indeed prior to Lelouch's rather spectacular successes, most assumed that he was cardinal in name only, and was only appointed to such a lofty position on account of his birth. It was only after Shinjuku, and especially Lake Kawaguchi, that people have begun to reevaluate just what it means for Lelouch to be the Order Militant's cardinal, and what the Order Militant itself might be capable of if it shares even a fraction of its leader's competency.