Chapter 136: Winchester Manor.

"Sir Langford, a representative of the Winchester family wants to award a commission to the Order of chaos adventurer party..." Susan reported.

'A second commission just after the first and apart from that it is from the Winchester family.' Langford was marveled by their luck.

"That's not a problem, we were done before you came in, so it's all up to them to decide if they want to accept the commission." Lanford turned to the group.

The trio looked at each other before Blake spoke up. "After what we've been through I for one don't think we are ready for another mission right now, but I think it would be polite to talk to the client and know what's up."

"Huh?" Susan said with a confused expression as she looked up.

"Sorry, please lead the way..." Blake said with an embarrassed smile when he realized what he just said.

From the private room, Susan led them into another where they saw a bald man in his early 70's. He had a greybeard with angular brows that were arched in the middle, giving him a stern look.

He was in a neat black suit with golden bullet back cufflinks and a sliver chain pocket watch on his vest'

"Hello, I am Arnold, the butler of the Winchester family." Arnold brought forth his hand.

"I am Zero the leader of the Order of chaos adventurer party. This is Hades and this is Grock" Blake shook his hand while introducing his team.

"So, how may we be of help?" Blake asked when both parties had taken a seat.

'Good thing young mistress Tessie had told me his code name if not finding them would have been a lot more difficult. I must say he is well mannered, handsome, and from what I have heard about him so far, he is strong for his age, just like she said.' Butler Arnold gave a mental nod as he observed Blake.

"I want to hire your adventurer party for an escort mission. Are you interested?" Arnold asked.

On hearing the word 'escort' the trio instinctively furrowed their brows as they were remaindered of the events of the previous day.

"We need more information about the mission before we would be able to make a decision." Refusing the commission without hearing more about would look unprofessional, so Blake decided to hear him out then decline the offer.

'So, the rumors are true…' Arnold thought before speaking up. "I was told that your party just returned from a difficult mission and you guys are still recovering, that is why I have come with an easy commission."

'This was what that b*stared told us before taking us to a place worse than a frontline! I am so declining the offer.' Blake had similar thoughts with Brian and Castiel.

The word 'easy' triggered a lot of negative emotions, especially against Taliesin. If he hadn't used it, he would have had higher chances of convincing them but now, Blake was thinking of a polite way to decline his offer.

"The Winchester family purchased a lot of herbs and it is in the custody of the association. All you need to do is to escort the crate to the Winchester manor."

The Adventurers association was located at the outskirt of the central region, while the Winchester manor was located in the eastern part of the central region. Meaning the journey wasn't long unlike the last and since the area was home to nobles and also the head branch of the ash corps it was bound to be a very safe journey, but the trio was more inclined to decline the offer.

"Oh, your adventurer party was recommended by Young mistress Tessie..." Arnold added the last line when he noticed the muscle contraction in the trio's facial expressions.

"…" Blake who had rehearsed his denial speech for the 3rd time was stunned.

"Tessie?" Blake asked with a raised brow.

"Yes. Young mistress Tessie from Calton magic school." Arnold couldn't help but smile when he saw how they reacted to his statement.

After receiving a nod from both Brian and Castile, Blake made up his mind. "When are we leaving?"

"By high noon tomorrow."

"Deal..."

After getting more information and negotiating the price, Arnold left the adventurer association building, while the trio returned to the cafeteria because Blake was hungry.

They used the rest of the day to get some rest and recover to their full capacity. 

...

By midday the next day, 2 carriages bearing the insignia of a crowned shield which had a 4 leaf clover at its center.

Immediately the crates of herbs were loaded into one of the carriages, they set off to the Winchester Manor.

'Anything suspicious?' Blake asked the system.

[For the 4th time in 20 minutes nothing is suspicious.] The system said in an annoyed tone.

'I know I might be a little paranoid, but after what happened on my first mission I can't take any chances.' Blake sighed when he remembered how helpless he was on his first party mission.

[A little? Pfft.] The system snorted when it remembered Blake telling him to scan both carriages twice.

'You know, one can never be too sure...' Blake said in defense.

[...] The system ignored him.

The journey went on for 30 more minutes, but unlike what Blake had expected the entire journey was peaceful.

"We have arrived..." Arnold announced when their carriage arrived in front of a gate with the insignia of the Winchester family.

Although the gates and walls looked normal, the system detected lots of high-level concealed arrays protecting every single inch leaving no room for openings in their defense.

When they went past the gate, they crossed the fantastically geometric hedges and got to a 3 faced sculpture of a shield with a 4 leaf clover, and on top of them was a crown that spouted water from its tips.

The carriages stopped at the fountain and servants came out of the mansion and began offloading the crates.