May 7, 1873.
The crown prince, who hadn't yet settled in East Africa, was to return to Europe once more. This time, Ernst was aboard the merchant ship "Lion," a fleet entirely made up of converted armed merchant ships.
He was also accompanied by a battalion from the Royal Guard Division heading to Austria. This battalion was to act as a ceremonial guard, consisting of elite members chosen from the Guard Division for their striking appearance.
Regardless of their military prowess, they were the best in terms of looks and stature. Fine horses need fine saddles, so East Africa had arranged the finest tailors for them, crafting high-quality handmade uniforms.
This battalion from the Guard Division actually numbered three thousand, consisting mainly of infantry and cavalry. However, there was no need for Ernst to bring horses to Austria; arrangements had been made with the Austrian army to borrow theirs.
