[BigDaddy]

The Swiss Guard as in the Pope's army? That is the longest standing army still in existence, so, yes, not really mercenaries.

I think the army of the Roman empire may have stood longer, but I do not know. The Swiss Guard is certainly on of the longest standing armies to ever exist.

So, I suppose if you take that position into account those Emeral Guards which are one to one better than most countries best command unit is OK. Still, there is a balance problem to that... it follows through the serpent cataphract.