I CHOSE to be a VILLAIN, not a THIRD-RATE EXTRA!!

Ashok walked a little closer to the gates, his gaze fixed on the golden mansion that shimmered like the sun, standing far beyond the gates. The sight was almost blinding in its opulence, the gleaming walls reflecting the light in a way that made the entire structure appear as though it were a living, breathing entity, glowing with untold wealth.

But as he drew nearer, his attention shifted. His eyes were then drawn to the garden that surrounded the mansion, a sprawling expanse of meticulously arranged greenery that seemed to cover every corner of the estate.

'Even the flowers and weeds are herbs, and not just any herbs—middle to high-tier herbs,' Ashok thought. His gaze fell upon the largest herb not far from the gates. It was a flower, but something it looked entirely different — every single petal of the flower was ablaze, yet the fire didn't burn it.

Scorch Bane, Ashok recognized it instantly. A Tier 4 Fire-type poison. Its petals burned with an eerie, controlled flame, making it both beautiful and deadly.

Scorch Bane could be used to craft the highest-tier fire resistance potions, or, when combined with the right ingredients, it could enhance one's affinity for fire by an enormous margin.

'Such types of herbs are typically found in the deep mountains of the East, but here it is, just grown as a ordinary flower drawing attention,' Ashok mused, his gaze lingering on the Scorch Bane and the other rare herbs scattered throughout the garden.

Ashok continued to observe from a distance, noting the presence of several caretakers tending to the plants with meticulous care. Each caretaker wore a black uniform, the fabric rich and well-tailored, with golden embroideries to highlight their status as the servants of the golden lord.

'The quality of their clothes could be said to be equal, or maybe even higher than mine,' Ashok thought.

It's to remembered that he was wearing the uniform of the prestigious Academy, a symbol of elite status and singularity in the world. Yet, here, he observed that the caretakers—mere gardeners—wore clothing that matched, if not surpassed, the quality of his own.

'Wait! Who is that?' Ashok's attention snapped to a figure standing apart from the other caretakers. This one was dressed slightly differently. While the others wore the same black uniforms with golden embroidery, this particular caretaker had a bamboo hat perched on his head—a ronin hat.

Ashok kept his gaze fixed on the ronin's bamboo hat. The man continued to sweep the garden, his movements deliberate and steady, but Ashok didn't break his stare on the man's back.

Then, in a brief moment, the caretaker turned his head in Ashok's direction. Just for a second, their eyes met, before the man swiftly turned back, his focus returning to the task at hand.

That fleeting glance was enough for Ashok. His sharp eyes quickly identified the face under the bamboo hat.

'Hmm, the flashy guy of the future worked for the Southern Duke before becoming a mercenary and gaining his title', Ashok thought, a smirk tugging at his lips.

'Haha! I have found my way inside,' a triumphant grin formed on his face as he made his way toward the gate.

As Ashok approached the knight guarding the gate, the guard's gaze shifted toward him. With a bored tone, he asked, "Do you want anything?"

Ashok's expression remained calm, but his words were purposeful. "I would like to pass a message to that man over there," he said, casually pointing toward the caretaker in the bamboo hat.

The knight followed Ashok's finger, his gaze landing on the figure in the bamboo hat, and then he turned back to Ashok with a weary sigh.

"Why?" the knight asked, his voice flat, already showing signs of frustration. He wasn't interested in entertaining unnecessary requests, especially when the long day of guarding the gate has just started.

"My grandmother was from the same hometown, and she knew that uncle," Ashok began, his voice shifting just enough to convey a sense of nostalgia and emotion.

"I've seen him in my younger days... I even played with him. But then, he left without telling anyone. It's been a long time, and I just wanted to pass on a message from the citizens of my hometown. After all, he had a good reputation there for always helping others."

Ashok quickly spun a lie, drawing from the first story that came to mind. His voice was infused with a blend of sadness, longing, and nostalgia, perfectly capturing the emotions he needed to convey. The tone was flawless, rich with sincerity. His speech not affected by the trait, naturally charismatic, carried an authenticity that made it sound like a genuine memory rather than a woven tale.

The knight's eyes softened a little as he processed Ashok's words. He seemed to be affected, though still skeptical, as he asked, "What is the message?"

Ashok didn't hesitate. With a calm and composed expression, he simply extended his hand forward, waiting for the knight's response.

The knight blinked, his confusion evident as he looked at the empty hand in front of him. "What?"

"Pen and paper," Ashok said smoothly, adding a playful edge to his tone. "The message is a bit long, and I also want to see if the uncle recognizes my handwriting."

The Knight glanced over at his comrade and the other knight simply sighed, rolling his eyes, and nodded his head in resignation, clearly uninterested in making a fuss over the request.

With a reluctant grunt, the first knight reached into his storage ring and pulled out a piece of paper and a pen, handing them over to Ashok without a word.

Taking the paper from the knight, Ashok carefully scribbled down his message, supporting the paper on his hand as he wrote for about few minutes.

Once he was satisfied, Ashok folded the paper neatly with a practiced motion, ensuring that it was crisp and without wrinkles. With a calm, measured gesture, he handed the folded paper back to the knight.

The knight's hand hovered over the folded paper, ready to open it, but before he could, Ashok's voice interjected. "Can you hand it over directly? It holds sentimental value. You can check the message after the uncle has read it."

The knight paused, glancing at the paper for a moment, considering Ashok's request. His eyes flickered between the messenger and the letter, but after a brief moment of hesitation, he nodded. With a grunt, he turned around and made his way inside the estate from the small gate beside the large main entrance.