Beneath the tribal village, a metal bunker had been built years prior and served as an outpost for Cygnus and his team's research. The use of this land was a gift for saving the village, and many such underground laboratories existed in the neighboring villages, as they were equally as indebted to the scientist who saved them. These sturdy steel lairs were responsible for tracking magic irregularities in the Southlands, and also compiled a wide array of documentation covering almost any subject one could think of.
"It's troubling," Epsilon said, looking at the crystal monitors hung upon the walls. "Word of mouth reports keep flooding into our line of information, but we've yet to find any evidence ourselves."
"Has anyone else taken action to investigate?" Cygnus asked. "Any cities or big groups?"
"Of course not. The Southland isn't unified, so none of the governing unions have done anything," Epsilon said. "It seems big names are focused on building up military power and nothing else."
"So the cities are straying away from mercenary protection now?" Cygnus asked.
"Yes, since they've proven quite unreliable in recent years," Epsilon said. "Ever since Shaka and his order disappeared, the land has been in a nonstop cold war, despite the heat."
"Your puns aren't appreciated," Cygnus sighed. He grabbed a few of the scattered documents on the messy desk and looked through them. "Surely there are some groups around still loyal to Arthur's Round Table we can turn to for aid."
"None prominent to be of any service," Epsilon said, shrugging. "Arthur's generation of heroes makes great stories, but they've fallen out of power. Good friend, you've been sheltered all these years staying in the Westland capital. You have no idea just how bad the world has gotten outside those walls. There is no one else to turn to. We're the only ones fighting against this calamity."
"If that's the case, then let us forget about politics," Cygnus said. "It was never our concern to begin with. Samson!"
"Sir!" Samson replied, surprised.
"Ready a squad of men and enough supplies for a couple of weeks," Cygnus said. "We're heading out on an expedition. We're going to track down this strange magic with brute force."
"Brute force?" Epsilon asked.
"We will rush to every irregular reading and hope to catch whatever's there before it vanishes," Cygnus said. "It's impractical, but sometimes the most tedious route is the only way to progress. Well, find out what it is, no matter what."
"And if we do manage to find it, then what?" Samson asked.
"That's contingent upon what we find, precisely," Cygnus said.
As Cygnus spoke, a figure emerged from a dimly lit area of the lab's chrome floor tiles. They all turned to her as she looked to them with brash eyes.
"You're Ada, yes? Apologies, I hadn't noticed you," Cygnus said. "Did you need something?"
"Please!" she said, grasping the nothingness in between her cinched palms tight. "Allow me to come with you on your journey! I've taken a great interest in this magic you western folk call science and would like to know more."
Cygnus looked to his comrades to ponder upon their judgments. He had no idea there was a Southlander with an interest in science, especially one from a tribal village.
"She's been a great help to us," Samson said. "She's constantly going out of her way to help us in our research. Why, she's even begun reading the books in our written language!"
"It would be useful for someone who knows these lands well to come along," Epsilon added.
"If you've got their approval, then you've mine. Welcome aboard, young scientist," Cygnus said. "But let me make one thing clear to you, magic is indeed science, but science is not magic. What is not explained may be unknown now, but tomorrow it will be a wondrous discovery. Even the secrets of magic. You do know what a scientist does, right?"
"Of course!" Ada said. "They solve problems with their minds and never give up!"
"Never give up indeed!" Cygnus laughed and adjusted his threaded jacket. "Prepare to set out!
"Yes, sir!" The other three chanted in unison.