Summoning the Countries

Chapter 55

 A couple of weeks later, Stepan, David, and a couple of Ukrainian and American Marines were searching the abandoned battle torn streets and buildings of Irz Village. It's been 3 weeks since the attack on Staging Area.

"I can't believe it was abandoned," David said as he stepped over a dead body of a Cross Army knight.

"Me too. I'm still hoping we find some survivors. Or something." Stepan replied as he kept his eyes and ears open for any signs of life.

As the group continued their search, they came upon a house that looked to have been ransacked. Upon entering, they were met with a gruesome sight - bodies of human civilians, their throats slit, lying on the ground.

Stepan grimaced at the sight, his heart heavy with sorrow. "They didn't stand a chance."

David sighed, shaking his head in disgust. "It's a fucking mess."

They walked around and searched the empty house. Stepan noticed the bodies of a lamia mother and a lamia child. Or what's left of their top half.

"Hey, look at this," a US Marine called out to a Ukrainian Marine.

The Marine walked over and she saw what her American counterpart was looking at. "Jesus..."

"They cut them in half... Like animals." She muttered.

"The brass said they had no respect for demi-humans, did they?" The Marine said as he checked the bodies. The Ukrainian Marine shook her head.

"No. I'm just glad the others(URK) are not seeing this. This is fucking horrific." She responded as she felt bile rising in her throat.

"Yeah, no shit. The brass said that the Cross Army were fanatics and they will do anything to win and kill any and all non-humans for their 'god'. What a load of bullshit." The Marine spat out.

Stepan and David walked in.

"What's up, you guys see something?" David asked.

The Marines showed the demi-human bodies.

"Fucking hell..." David uttered.

Stepan didn't say anything, he just closed his eyes and looked away. He then walked out and went to a nearby building that said 'Guild' or whatever language it was. He went inside.

"Major!" David shouted as he went after him.

As Stepan and David walked around, the US and URK Marines followed.

Stepan noticed the corpses of the adventurers and more Cross Army knight corpses. What caught his eye was one in a priest outfit. He walked over and inspected the body.

"What's up, Major?" David asked as he looked over Stepan's shoulder.

Stepan didn't answer him, he was too engrossed on the body, "I think I realized what are considered their company/battalion commanders."

David and the other Marines looked at him confused.

"Their company and battalion commanders are dressed in the same clothing. This guy is a priest." Stepan said.

David and the other Marines looked at him and at the corpse.

"So they are priests then?" One of the Marines asked.

"Not quite," Stepan replied, "But they have the same symbols as their soldiers, just on different places. The company commanders are priest or even nuns, and the battalion commanders are either paladins or the apostles."

David and the others were taken aback, "Holy shit."

Stepan sighed and looked at the dead man again, "He's no older than 50. Bastard."