The team glanced at each other, their expressions a mixture of uncertainty and determination. They understood that the situation was anything but typical. After a brief, silent consensus, they decided to play along, pretending to be guests eager to meet the owner of the manor.

The maid's lips curved into a slight smile, her crimson eyes sparkling with amusement. "Ah, you wish to meet the owner?" she replied, her voice smooth and melodic. "I, too, am awaiting his return. However, he has been gone for quite some time, and I cannot say when he will be back."

"Perhaps we should come back later, then?" Riku suggested, her voice cautious as she hoped to extricate the team from this unsettling encounter.

But as they approached the door, it remained firmly shut, as if an invisible force held it in place. Kosu pressed against it, but it wouldn't budge. "It seems we're not going anywhere," he muttered, frustration creeping into his tone.

The maid stepped gracefully to the foot of the stairs, her expression unfazed. "Even if the owner is not here, I cannot let my guests leave without proper hospitality," she said, her smile brightening. "Please, allow me to offer you some tea before you depart."

The unusual nature of the situation hung heavy in the air. The team exchanged wary glances, weighing their options. After a moment of silent deliberation, they nodded in agreement. "Alright, we'll join you for tea," Thorn said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Splendid!" The maid's smile widened, and she gestured for them to follow her. She led them through the winding corridors of the manor, the air thick with an enchanting atmosphere.

As they walked, the team noticed something strange. The manor appeared to have transformed before their eyes. What had once been a place of decay was now vibrant and alive, as if they had stepped back in time. The walls gleamed with fresh paint, and the furniture was impeccably arranged, each piece reflecting an elegance that spoke of a bygone era.

Everything felt surreal, as if the manor had awakened from a long slumber, returning to its former glory. The team exchanged astonished glances, their apprehension mingling with a sense of wonder.

The maid guided them to a beautifully decorated guest room. Delicate china cups adorned the table, and a fresh pot of tea steamed invitingly in the center. "Please, make yourselves comfortable," she said, her demeanor warm and welcoming. "I will prepare the tea for you."

As the maid stepped out of the guest room to prepare the tea, the team turned to each other, the tension palpable in the air.

"What just happened?" Riku asked, shaking her head in disbelief. "One moment, this place was completely abandoned, and now we're here with a maid? It doesn't make any sense!"

Kosu leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I don't like this. We came here to investigate, not to be treated like guests. Just moments ago, bats were swarming the manor, and now they've disappeared the instant this place came back to life."

Miko nodded, her brow furrowed. "And that door? It was like something was holding it shut. Nothing we did could force it open. What's going on here?"

"We need to try to reconnect with HQ," Thorn suggested, pulling out his communication device. "Maybe they can help us figure this out."

The team gathered around as Thorn attempted to establish a link. He pressed the buttons and listened intently, but static filled the air, and the connection remained dead. "No signal," he muttered, frustration creeping into his tone. "It's like we're cut off from the outside world."

"This is getting weirder by the minute," Riku said, glancing around the room, taking in the pristine decor and the delicate china. "Everything looks so... perfect. It's almost as if we've stepped into a different time."

"What do you think happened?" Jenna asked, her eyes darting to the door the maid had exited. "How did the manor go from being abandoned to this?"

Kosu shook his head, a frown deepening on his face. "There must be some kind of magic or force at play here. The bats, the sudden appearance of the maid—it's all too coincidental. And what about Sakura's team? I'm worried about them. Did the radar we set up catch any information about their whereabouts?"

Thorn straightened, his expression serious. "We need to be cautious. If this maid knows anything about the manor's secrets, we can't reveal too much. It could put us at risk."

As they exchanged their thoughts, the sounds of the manor enveloped them—the gentle rustling of fabric, the distant chime of a clock, and the faint scent of flowers. It felt surreal, almost dreamlike, yet the underlying sense of danger remained.

"I still can't shake the feeling that we're being watched," Kosu said, his instincts alerting him to the unease in the atmosphere. "We need to figure out our next move, and fast."

"Agreed," Thorn replied. "Let's keep our guard up. If this maid is hiding something, we need to be ready for anything. For now, let's play along, but we must be prepared to act if things go south."

With a shared nod, the team settled into a wary silence, waiting for the maid's return. Each of them was lost in their thoughts, contemplating the enigma of the manor and the unsettling warmth of the hospitality that felt all too inviting. The stage was set, and they were players in a game that had only just begun.

The maid returned with a tray of steaming tea, her movements graceful and deliberate. She poured the fragrant liquid into delicate china cups, then stepped back, hands clasped in front of her.

"Please, enjoy," she said, her voice soft and inviting.

The team exchanged glances, uncertain. "Why don't you join us?" Thorn suggested, trying to keep the atmosphere light.

The maid shook her head gently, a slight smile on her lips. "A maid should not sit at the same table as her guests," she replied, her tone polite yet firm.

Thorn signaled for Miko, the team's medic, to check for any unusual substances in the tea. They needed to ensure their safety. Miko discreetly focused her energy, casting a subtle spell to analyze the tea while engaging Cistar in conversation.

"Isn't it lovely how the manor has come to life?" Jenna remarked, drawing the maid's attention.

"We the workers always take care of the manor, not a single day is missed. We are honored that you like it", the maid replied to the comment of Jenna.

As the maid's gaze left Miko, Miko's eyes shimmered briefly with magic. After a moment, she nodded slightly, relieved. "There's nothing unusual about the tea," she whispered to Thorn.

"Good to know," Thorn replied quietly, before redirecting his focus to the maid. "We'd like to learn more about the Valen family, the owners of this manor. Can you tell us about them?"

The maid's expression shifted, a glimmer of nostalgia in her eyes. "The Valens were a noble family, deeply respected in the community. They cherished this manor and took great care of it."

"And what about the missing cases surrounding them?" Thorn pressed, his curiosity piqued.

The maid's demeanor changed slightly, her smile fading. "There are no such cases," she stated firmly. "The Valens merely left for a time."

The team exchanged looks of confusion. "What about the staff?" Miko asked. "Are there others working in the manor?"

"There are several staff members," the maid replied, her tone casual. "But they work in other sections of the manor. You may not meet them during your stay."

Thorn nodded, absorbing the information. "And when can we expect the owners to return?"

The maid's expression grew somber. "The owners left this manor long ago, taking their family with them. They have paid extra to ensure the staff continues to care for the manor in their absence. We will remain here until they return."

Kosu furrowed his brow, his mind racing. "And you? Who are you?"

With a slight inclination of her head, the maid replied, "Apologies for my late introduction. I am Cistar, a maid of this manor for many years. I am here to ensure everything runs smoothly in their absence."

Thorn glanced out the window, noting the encroaching darkness. "When can we leave?"

Cistar's smile returned, though it held an edge of persuasion. "It is night outside. The road can be very dark and dangerous. You should stay here for the night and leave in the morning."

The team exchanged anxious glances. "But we arrived when it was still daylight," Riku pointed out, her voice laced with disbelief. "How could it be night already?"

Kosu narrowed his eyes. "We want to leave now."

"Attempting to force your way out would be unwise," Cistar warned, her voice calm yet firm. "Dear Guest, please stay here overnight. You will be able to leave more easily when the new day comes."

Realizing the futility of their attempts, the team reluctantly settled into a tense silence. They had little choice but to play along for now. Thorn took a deep breath, making a decision. "Alright, we'll stay for the night."

As Cistar nodded, the atmosphere thickened with unspoken tensions. The team understood that they were now entwined in a web of mystery, and they would need to gather more information before they could find a way out. The night was just beginning, and with it came the promise of secrets waiting to be uncovered.