What is the Black Brigade?
The Black Brigade is one the three military forces of the Royal Kingdom of Airyglyph. The other two are the Storm Brigade, a cavalry brigade on horse-like animals called Lums, and the Dragon Brigade, an Air Assault Brigade on Air Dragons as the name implies. The Black Brigade is a heavy cavalry force, existing of heavily armoured knights wielding huge swords much taller then themselves, wearing sturdy black armour (hence the name). It is said to be the most destructive force on the continent of Gaitt, inspiring awe in allies and terror in foes.

Albel Nox, also general commander of the forces invading Aquaria, is the current captain of this brigade, Shelby being the second-in-command. The men in the Black Brigade like Shelby better then their captain for his honest and hearty personality. But he has a bad habit of solving every problem through military force. I suppose that is how Shelby got his nickname; Shelby the heave-handed. I suppose Duke Vox likes Shelby better too, because he could be controlled. But Shelby was too blinded with the possibility of being promoted to captain, thus leading to his downfall.

History Lesson
The Kingdom of Airyglyph was formerly a poor country, they had (and still have) trouble getting food, and they never possessed a powerful military compared to the other countries on Gaitt. But thanks to the uncompromising merit-based system of Airyglyph XIII, the knight brigades have been reformed. They used to be nothing more than clubs for the nobles to fraternize in, but because of Airyglyph XIII's efforts, they have been rebuilt into strong military units.
The reformation was supported by both Glou Nox and Count Woltar.

The Kirlsa Training Facility
The Black Brigade has it's base in the Kirlsa Training Facility. It's an ancient abandoned forth south of Kirlsa that is converted by the Airyglyph military into a garrison for the Black Brigade. It exists out of 4 floors, having a living quarter, prisons and an arena for example. It looks quite ruined with blood as some kind of macabre decoration.
Hundreds of innocent men and women have been executed here to serve as an example. Most of these people were believers of the Church of Apris living in Airyglyph.

Dragon Brigade?
After Duke Vox died, there was no captain for the Black Brigade, for quite some time. And during Albel's absence, Woltar was the one responsible for the military. However, by talking to some of the Glyphian guards and soldiers, I found some things quite interesting. One of the guards said that he'd wanted Albel to be the captain of the Dragon Brigade. He backs this up with him already being the captain of the Black Brigade, and the head of the Nox family have always been Dragon Brigade Captain up to Nox. Another guard mentions the Crimson Scourge fact, since it's previous owner was Glou Nox.
I suppose there's one problem. Albel did do the Ascension of the Flame ceremony, but he failed. I don't know whether it's possible to have a second chance, and who says that Albel's willing to try? But who knows...