 The Crusaders ( formerly known as the " Crimson Blades " ) were a loosely @-@ knit army that existed to protect towns and temples from Sin . The group was founded by Lord Mi 'ihen , who made a journey to Bevelle 800 years ago to calm the maesters ' fears that he was assembling an army to conquer them . Mi 'ihen managed to win their trust , and the Crimson Blades were thereafter inducted into the Yevon clergy as the Crusaders . The road Mi 'ihen had walked was renamed the " Mi 'ihen Highroad " in his honor . Unlike guardians , Crusaders are directly related to the temples . No non @-@ Yevonite is permitted to serve as a Crusader , although there are unofficial chapters composed entirely of people who have been excommunicated . All of the Crusaders were excommunicated , however , when they set up Operation Mi 'ihen , a joint Crusader @-@ Al Bhed attempt to destroy Sin with a giant machina weapon . The operation failed and the Crusaders were largely eradicated in the process . A group known as the Crimson Squad was also formed around Operation Mi 'ihen . Three candidates survived the final exercise ; Baralai , Nooj and Gippal , all of whom would eventually lead one of the three political factions during the events of Final Fantasy X @-@ 2 . 
