Zosia: Quick Transmigration System
Chapter 106 - 104- Horror Mission

The expression on their faces changed dramatically. Mina shifted back with a starlt.

"Oi! Who is that?" An old lady's voice was heard.

They all turned to look in the direction of the voice. Just like the voice, it was that of an old lady. Zosia looked at the old lady who was all kitted up and then turned to look at the old man who was still staring at them.

The scene looked eerie and out of place.

Mina who was startled shifted to a distance, feeling embarrassed, she coughed awkwardly.

They walked closer to the house, completely ignoring the embarrassed Mina, well except Tanya.

Tanya walked towards Mina, "You shouldn't feel embarrassed. Let's go."

Mina who had recovered from her embarrassment, turned to look at Tanya, a condensing look surfacing in her eyes. "Mtcheww!" She hissed and walked away, leaving the now embarrassed Tanya behind.

Hearing Mina's hiss, Zosia turned to look back and shook her head. She could tell that Tanya was trying to make herself look good in front of Lucien, but she couldn't understand, if Tanya thought that with those little tricks of hers, she would be able to get Lucien. "Well, I will just watch the show, what business does it have to do with me." She muttered inwardly, facing her front as she walked behind the rest.

"Oi! You must be another set of travelers. Please come inside, the weather isn't looking good here." The old woman warmly welcomed them.

Zosia's ears twitched. She caught the word another in the woman's statement, which means there have been more people.

Seems like she wasn't the only one that caught unto it, as Xen asked, "Ma, what do we refer to you as?"

"Just call me Sister Marionette." She said with a gentle and warm smile. Opening the door behind her, she led them in.

"Sister Marionette, you mentioned other travelers, seems like many people have passed here?" Xen continued his question.

"Indeed, sigh! Unfortunately my children and I, can't go to the Capital, that is why here is kind of deserted."

"Ooh!" Xen made a dramatic sound of understanding while frowning inwardly. She wondered what could make the old woman and her children unable to go to the Capital.

Where is the Capital actually?

Zosia who walked behind the rest, out of habit, started measuring each of her steps and so she seemed a little slow, yet no one could detect her aim.

She needs to be prepared for whatever defects she gets. "So she has children? Also all of them are unable to go to the Capital, is it because of the stringed man outside?" She questioned inwardly as she picked up some clues from the woman's words.

Suddenly, she frowned. "This wood is not creaking." She made another observation. Staring at her feet, she noticed the fine line of the wood and its shiny surface. "Good wood."

This isn't a wood you would find in places with such extreme and thick snow. Well, she isn't an expert, so she couldn't judge and besides, it's a parallel world, but nevertheless, she could tell the wood is expensive and has been regularly maintained.

A stifling wave of heat hit them as they stepped into the house, making everyone except Sister Marionette instantly uncomfortable. Zosia wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes darting around the room. Luckily for her, her suit quickly adapted, making her comfortable.

The parlor was dimly lit, with heavy curtains blocking out most of the daylight. The air felt thick, almost oppressive, and yet, it smelled strangely of a flowery fragrance. Zosia scratched her head as she tried to recall. She didn't understand why her memory was failing her.

Zosia immediately shook her head, a thought surfacing her mind, "The defects... Hers was just beginning to manifest." Luckily, she had asked Chip to begin recording, the moment they decided to start the mission.

Zosia sent a telepathic message to Lucien, who received it with a frown, before nodding his head.

"Please, take a seat," Sister Marionette gestured to a set of mismatched chairs around a large wooden table. The group hesitated but eventually complied, the creak of the chairs a stark contrast to the solid, well-maintained floorboards.

"Would you like some tea? It's a special blend that helps with the cold." Without waiting for a response, she busied herself at a stove in the corner, her movements methodical.

Zosia's eyes were drawn to a series of old portraits lining the walls. Each depicted a family, presumably Sister Marionette's, but there was something off about them. The faces were solemn, almost too perfect, their eyes appearing to follow the group as they settled in, also she didn't see the father or any fatherly figures.

"Thank you, Sister Marionette," Lucien said, his calm, almost too calm. "We've been traveling for quite a while. It's been... a hectic journey, we wonder if you are willing to let us stay for a while till the snow reduces."

"Oh, I can imagine," Sister Marionette replied, her back still turned. "This place has a way of bringing out the unexpected in travelers."

Zosia exchanged a glance with Xen, who seemed equally on edge. The entire situation felt wrong, like they were stepping into a well-laid trap. She made a mental note to stay alert. It also made her feel that her Chip might malfunction, so she decided to write the things down but she couldn't do it now, as not to arouse suspicion.

"Here we are," Sister Marionette said, turning with a tray of steaming cups. She placed them on the table, the fragrant steam curling into the air. "This should warm you up."

The group murmured their thanks and took the cups. Zosia sniffed hers cautiously, detecting a blend of herbs she couldn't identify. She took a small sip, feeling the warmth spread through her body.

"Do you get many visitors out here?" Tanya asked, trying to make conversation.

"Not as many as you'd think," Sister Marionette replied, sitting down with her own cup. "But enough to keep things interesting."

The old woman's smile was serene, but Zosia noticed a flicker of something else in her eyes—was it sadness or perhaps a hidden agenda? She couldn't tell. Her instincts screamed that something was amiss, and the others seemed to sense it too.

Lucien leaned forward slightly. "Your home is lovely. It must be challenging to live in such an isolated area."

"It has its moments," Sister Marionette said, her eyes distant. "But we manage. It's peaceful here, in a way."

"Do you ever feel... lonely?" Mina asked, surprising everyone with the bluntness of her question.

Sister Marionette's smile faltered for a split second before she regained her composure. "Loneliness is a state of mind, dear. We find joy in the little things, besides, I have children and neighbors."

The conversation continued, but Zosia's mind was racing. There were too many unanswered questions, too many inconsistencies.

The way Sister Marionette answered their questions, made it seem like she was talking in reverse order. She doesn't know how to explain but she took note of it.

"Who are these other travelers you mentioned?" Xen pressed, leaning forward. "Did they come through here recently?"

"Yes, not too long ago. A young couple, actually. They were heading to the Capital as well, but..." Her voice trailed off, eyes glazing over as if recalling a distant memory.

"But what?" Kevin prompted, unable to hide his curiosity.

"They never made it," she said simply, pouring the tea. "Such a shame. The roads are not safe these days."

"You mentioned, you have kids. They must be such lovely children, since they have you as their mother." Tanya said.

"Of course," Sister Marionette said with that same gentle smile, her eyes lingering on each of them a moment too long. "My children should be back soon. They went to gather more firewood."

As if on cue, the door creaked open, and two figures stepped inside. They were young, a boy and a girl, both with strikingly pale skin and wide, unblinking eyes. They moved silently, almost gliding across the floor, and sat at the table without a word.

"These are my children, Lionel and Lydia," Sister Marionette introduced them. "Children, please greet our guests."

"Hello," the two chorused, their voices eerily in sync.

Zosia's instincts screamed at her to get out, but she maintained a calm exterior. "Nice to meet you," she said politely, her eyes narrowing as she studied them. There was something profoundly unnatural about the way they moved and spoke, they moved like they were being drawn by strings, Just like the Old man. Her eyes flashed with a peculiar thought.

"They are a little tired, which is why they are like this." Sister Marionette explained with an apologetic smile.

"We don't want to impose," Tanya said, her voice trembling slightly. "Maybe we should be on our way soon."

"Nonsense," Sister Marionette replied firmly. "You must stay the night. The weather outside is turning foul. You'll be safer here."

Zosia glanced at the window. Snow was indeed beginning to fall heavily, obscuring their view of the forest. She knew they had little choice but to stay, at least until the storm passed.

"Thank you for your hospitality," Asgar said, trying to sound sincere. "We appreciate it."

"Rest well," Sister Marionette said, her smile widening. "You'll need your strength for the journey ahead."

As they were shown to their rooms, their mind raced. There were too many unanswered questions, and the entire house felt like a carefully constructed illusion.

===========

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