Greed's Army

Lore & Background

The formation of this faction began when Greed realized Father’s plan to become a god required sacrificing all human souls. Rejecting his role as a mere vessel, he chose to ally with Ling Yao, who sought the throne of Xing only. This alliance was sealed not by blood, but by a shared desire to defy destiny. As the conflict escalated, the group functioned more as a specialized strike force than a traditional military unit. They utilized alchemy and martial arts from both nations to breach defenses that conventional soldiers could not penetrate. Their existence proved that even artificial life created by Father could possess free will and moral agency. Ultimately, the legacy of this army was cemented during the final battle at Central Command. Greed took over Ling's living body, but Ling's soul remained present, and the body became a homunculus body due to the Philosopher's Stone—not a normal human body. This allowed them to lead a charge against Envy and Father directly, ensuring that the Philosopher Stone would not be completed and saving millions of lives across the continent.

In Their Own Story

The air in the ruined street tasted like copper and ash. Greid stood amidst the rubble, his diamond skin gleaming under the dim emergency lights. Behind him, a dozen Xingese warriors tightened their grips on staffs and blades, eyes fixed on the towering silhouette of Central Command. "We do this for ourselves," Greed said, his voice echoing with that familiar metallic resonance. "Not for a country. Not for a king." Ling stepped forward from the shadows, wearing the armor now fused to his own will. The two leaders looked at each other, no longer master and servant, but partners in defiance. They raised their weapons toward the horizon where the sky began to bleed red.

Reader's Guide

This faction emerged from the rebellion against Father’s divine plan to consume humanity. Unlike the State Military, this group operated without official sanction, driven by personal ambition and survival rather than national duty. Led initially by the Homunculus Greed after his defection, the ranks swelled with Xingese warriors loyal to Prince Ling Yao. Their primary objective was to dismantle Father’s Philosopher Stone ritual before it could strip Amestris of its souls. Members included disillusioned citizens and soldiers who recognized the corruption at the heart of their government. While not a formal army, they functioned as a specialized strike force during the Promised Day. Ultimately, this coalition played a pivotal role in breaching Father’s defenses within Central Command. Their existence challenged the notion that Homunculi were merely mindless tools, proving they could choose their own path. The group dissolved after the final battle concluded and peace was restored to the nation.

Did You Know?

• Greed took over Ling's living body while Ling's soul was still present, and the body became a homunculus body due to the Philosopher's Stone, not a normal human body.
• In the canon manga/Brotherhood, Greed never had an armor body; his original form was a humanoid homunculus.
• Greed's takeover of Ling's body was a direct possession, not related to any armor or soul-merging scenario from the 2003 anime.