Cursed to level 1 with an Ego weapon

The next morning.

"God dammit! Why did they leave?!" I ask in frustration.

With all that transpired yesterday, I forgot two important things… people that should be in the base are not here.

Russell and Dawnson had left the base in order to return to town while we were raiding the jail.

"They… seemed rather distraught about being away from town while disaster was starting. They just took some time to plan ahead on how to deal with the situation and what to do with the population… then they left." Leiva said. "They ignored me for the most part when they started to talk about politics."

"Why did they go? Neither of them can fight, can they?" Aurelia asks.

"You don't know them, it seems." Leiva fixes her glasses and stands straight at the end of the table, like she is about to give a lecture. "They are the best candidates for mayor the town has. They have a history of putting themselves in the line to make things happen. Even when they are rivals, they are pretty close and always think about how to improve the town, so they are constantly exchanging power between themselves."

There is a pause for a moment. I am waiting for her to add something else.

"And the twist is…?" I ask.

"There is no twist. They are loved, although Russell can be a bit of a pushover and has spoiled his daughters a bit too much, he is known for being a sincere politician. Dawson, by her side, doesn't fall short on this, and has her son and daughter running charity programs around town. She is a bit addicted to gambling but has caused no drama so far, only using a portion of her salary.."

Another pause.

"And…?" Aurelia asks.

"And what?"

"I guess… they seem too good from what you say?" Lisa comments.

"Yeah… where is the corruption history? The overstepping of authority? Or, I don't know, attempt to remove power from a council or congress body that would cause a whole civil war from happening?" I ask directly what I believe everyone is thinking.

"I understand where you are coming from, but Russell and Dawson have not been in any big political scandal that could jeopardize their social position. In fact it is said that the town has never been in better shape since they started to run as adversaries in their political careers."

"I know! A pact with a demon!" Aurelia lands her hand on the table with a loud thud. "We found one."

"Yeah, but that was in the house of a follower of Sul, not a politician… I think."

"Did any of you do any actual research before throwing your hands into the mud?" Leiva asks, now a bit frustrated.

Aurelia and I look at each other, then I look at Lisa. We all look at Leiva and we shake our heads.

That did make more sound than Aurelia screaming.

"Ugh… and you all seemed more competent at the beginning." Leiva shakes her head and holds her forehead with her hand, like she is suffering from a migraine.

"Hey! I am good only at three things: punching, burning and fucking, based on what I have been told!" Aurelia smirks, too proud of herself.

"Was that last part necessary?" Both Karina and Lisa ask.

"The smarts and brains are for Lisa and Amber."

"I am a priest!" Lisa answers. "My job is to heal body and soul!"

"And I am a dungeon crawler, not a detective! I blast stuff with my spells, I don't search for clues!" I add.

"But are you good at fucking, other than yourself?" Aurelia comments with a smug smile that makes me want to punch her.

"What the-?! S-shut up!" I slam both my hands on the table and my face is red as hell.

"Ugh! I didn't need a reminder of what I saw the other night!" Lisa answers.

She caught me too?! What the fuck?! I am building a private room as soon as possible!

"Yeah… sorry about that." Leiva answers while blushing.

Ah! So that was not me… and when was that, that I missed it?

"Let's get back on topic!" Leiva, who is now holding a ruler and I have no idea from where she got it, slams it against the table with a loud snap sound. "You are a curious group, I will give all of you that, but seeing you all already know it is Oswald who is behind this…"

"He was there when we ran from the bomb and he attempted to kidnap Jace." I comment.

The chicken man is still unconscious in the bed we borrowed him.

"He is not waking up soon… To think we got into this because of his chickens."

"Based on what you explained to me… I believe he is innocent. At least with the people, he still killed many chickens." Leiva says.

"I believe that too…" I cross my arms. "But how did he know about those names?"

"Not to mention, he knew mine." Karina says.

"Right, he knew Karina's name."

"That is the name of the spirit that follows you, right?" Leiva asks.

I nod.

"But that is not something we will know until we have him wake up." Leiva adds.

"Ah! And this." I pull out the stone the innkeeper gave us.

Leiva takes it and observes it.

"It just looks like a normal stone… made of granite. I don't know…" she is taking a good look around it, checking every detail from the piece of rock.

"Didn't the innkeeper say that he spoke with Kroneus?" Lisa asks. "He is known for being a prankster…"

"Is he?" Aurelia asks.

"Yep, he is known for enjoying making ripples in calm waters, and tornados in the most untamed sea just for the hell of it." I answer.

"He makes tornados?" Aurelia asks.

"Not literally, but he does enjoy causing or adding to the chaos. But like his sisters, he is benevolent." Lisa comments. "We need to get that stone appraised. I have the feeling there is something about them."

"Okay, in town, we are going to an appraiser."

"No. We need someone that can study artefacts. If there is someone…"

Artefact research is related to the Identifying skill that I have not been able to level up after all this time. It is more nuanced, requiring to study in more detail what the item is and if it belongs to a deity.

"I can…" Leiva raises her hand. "Before becoming a teacher I worked as an appraiser in my mother's shop. I did take the time to learn to research artefacts, but I will need to return to town."

"But it is not safe. Not right now with those people searching for you." I answer. "I will see what we can do about it, but we need to take care of Oswald first."

"I understand… I just want to not be alone all the time." Leiva admits.

We wrap up the impromptu meeting. We 4 go and Leiva is left with the unconscious Jace, and I gave her a binding wand just in case.