"Wise captain, and all you brave sailors!"
As the destination approached, Alberto's face was brimming with a warm, enthusiastic smile, and he spoke in a clear, bright voice. He gracefully took out a delicately crafted harp that emitted a faint, woody fragrance from behind his waist.
"Thank you all for the generous ride and care along the way. I once adventured and traveled through the legendary Eternal Glory Forest, and I was fortunate enough to learn an ancient tune containing the spiritual essence of nature from the Forest Fairies who reside there."
He bowed slightly, performing a stylish adventurer's salute.
"Please allow me to offer this song as a small token of my gratitude for this journey!"
Before the words had even faded, his figure flickered, and he leapt lightly to the most open central area of the deck.
Under the curious and expectant gazes of the captain and the sailors, Alberto's expression became incredibly focused in an instant.
His long, graceful fingers, as if possessed by magic, brushed across the harp strings gently and precisely.
Ding-dong... The first ethereal, clear note leapt out, breaking the quiet air on the river. Immediately following, a series of distant, pure melodies, seemingly flowing from the depths of the forest and the pulse of the earth, began to stream like a babbling brook. It wrapped lightly between the ship's gunwales and masts, causing the listeners' tense spirits to involuntarily relax, as if they had been instantly transported from the dull river voyage into a vast, vibrant ancient forest, with a gentle breeze brushing their faces and shadows of trees swaying.
What was even more astonishing was this:
While his fingers nimbly plucked the harp, Alberto's long, lithe, and vibrant body seemed to be imbued with life by the music, beginning to dance to the rhythm. His dance moves blended the elegance of an Elf, the unrestrained nature of a human, and a hint of indescribable exotic flair. At times he was like a deer leaping through the forest, at others like vines swaying in the wind, full of vigorous vitality and pure artistic appeal.
"Good! Amazing!"
"This young man, he's got talent!"
The audience was deeply captivated by this wonderful performance and burst into waves of enthusiastic applause and heartfelt praises without reservation.
Alberto, at the center of the performance, had a pure and brilliant smile on his face, his eyes intoxicated, as if he were completely immersed in the ultimate joy brought by the music and dance, enjoying this brief and simple pleasure.
No one could imagine, nor could they discern:
The true identity of this passionate, multi-talented young adventurer, who seemed like the Incarnation of sunshine... was actually the pinnacle of the legendary Metallic Dragon Race, the Incarnation of wisdom and power—a Golden Dragon!
The Golden Dragon clan is extremely adept at perfectly disguising themselves as various humanoid creatures.
This method allows Golden Dragons, who are accustomed to being aloof, to temporarily cast off the shackles of heavy responsibility and experience a relaxing time surrounded by companions, sharing simple joys.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning:
Regardless of the Golden Dragon's true personality—whether benevolent, aloof, objective, or harboring ambitions of conquest like Alberto.
Once they have chosen and entered a "disguised role," they will strictly follow the behavioral logic, emotional expression, and even detailed habits of that role with almost harsh professionalism, never breaking the carefully constructed character shell due to momentary emotional fluctuations or accidents.
Not long after.
The adventurer Alberto waved goodbye to the captain and sailors with a radiant smile, then his figure flickered lightly, disappearing into the depths of the lush, vine-entangled jungle on the riverbank without a trace.
The night was like thick ink, slowly staining the vast firmament.
The stars were dotted like crushed diamonds embedded in a dark blue velvet curtain, and the cold starlight sprinkled upon the surging surface of the Estonia Great River.
At the riverbank stronghold, on a reinforced watchtower platform.
Silvermane Zakley led a team of elite Centaur archers, standing by in full battle array.
Their strong arms were taut, drawing bows like full moons, and their eyes, sharp as hawks, pierced through the cool night wind, locking firmly onto the river surface below, which appeared even more turbulent and churning in the darkness.
A few minutes passed.
Splash!
The previously rhythmic sound of water suddenly became violent and unnatural.
The center of the river suddenly exploded with large sprays of water, and several massive black shadows shuttled rapidly underwater, stirring up chaotic whirlpools.
"Raise the nets!"
Silvermane Zakley's eyes sharpened, and his low command sounded like a muffled clap of thunder.
Hum—!!!
Accompanied by the heavy sound of mechanical winches turning and the rough roars of Ogres, the strong Ogres who had long been lying in ambush on both banks of the river exerted their strength. The giant net, woven from special metal and wrapped in thick iron chains, was instantly pulled out of the water like a steel barrier spanning the river, firmly intercepting those fierce Vicious Beasts attempting to rush upstream.
Splash! Splash!
Water splashed everywhere like a torrential downpour.
One by one, the massive, fierce-fanged river Vicious Beasts were caught off guard by the obstruction. Some crashed hard into the tough iron-chain net, emitting dull, loud bangs; others relied on brute force to leap high out of the water, attempting to cross this blockade, drawing wild arcs in the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Almost at the same moment, the Centaur archers' arrows, which had been ready to fire, left the strings. The humming of the bowstrings tore through the air, and one after another, the sharp arrows, which had been specially constructed and shimmered with faint alchemical enchantment light, were like they had eyes, piercing with extreme precision into the vital points of those Vicious Beasts that leaped out of the water or attempted to crash into the iron net!
Thud! Thud!
The dull sounds of blades entering flesh intertwined with the painful roars of the Vicious Beasts, and bright red blood quickly stained the river water, the strong, fishy scent permeating the night wind.
The Estonia Great River water System is vast and boundless, with crisscrossing river branches.
The fierce water Vicious Beasts inhabiting the deep water often attack passing merchant ships, which naturally includes the river waterways now effectively governed by the Molten Iron Tribe and relied upon as an important trade route.
Therefore, the Molten Iron Tribe's kin stationed at various riverbank strongholds made regular, organized cleaning and suppression of river beasts a crucial task.
It could both ensure the safety of river navigation and maintain the tribe's trade lifeline, while also allowing them to hunt and harvest a large amount of energy-rich Vicious Beast meat to supply the tribe's consumption. It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
Whoosh—!
Another arrow, infused with powerful force, whistled through the air, shooting straight at a giant fish-type Vicious Beast that had just leaped to its highest point, attempting to vault over the iron net.
Just as the arrow was about to hit its tough, scale-covered body.
A sudden change occurred.
"Roar—!!!"
From the mouth of that seemingly ordinary fish Vicious Beast, a low, majestic, and oppressive Dragon roar suddenly erupted!
Under the fearful and tense gazes of all the Centaurs, Ogres, and even the Goblin laborers.
The Vicious Beast's body expanded, twisted, and deformed rapidly as if it were being inflated. The ordinary fish scales covering its body were replaced in the blink of an eye by pieces of dazzling, liquid gold-like Metallic Dragon scales! A thick Dragon neck rose proudly, jagged Dragon horns pierced the night sky, and broad Dragon wings spread out, obscuring the stars and moon.
A massive, majestic, terrifying beast, shining with brilliant golden light and exuding pure and powerful Dragon might, had replaced the original fish-shaped Vicious Beast, hovering above the waves.
A Metallic Dragon! And it was the pinnacle of Metallic Dragons—a Golden Dragon!
"Before pointless, bloody conflict breaks out, I prefer to first have a... civilized conversation."
Alberto Aurelius's pair of molten-gold, majestic Dragon eyes slowly swept over the monster kin on the bank who were stunned or in a state of high alert. His low voice echoed over the river like rolling thunder: "Wantonly slaughtering innocent river beasts, attacking a... noble Dragonkin who was 'playfully frolicking' with them..."
His giant Dragon maw parted slightly, and he said slowly: "Monsters, you need to prove to me that your actions do not stem from a purely evil nature."
Silvermane Zakley took a deep breath of the cold night wind, forcing himself to barely recover from the shock of the Dragon might.
Damn it! How could it be a Golden Dragon?! This is big trouble!
In any case, the top priority was to stabilize this Golden Dragon, who clearly had ill intentions and was too powerful for them to resist.
"Res... Respected Golden Dragon Your Excellency!"
Silvermane Zakley suppressed the tremor in his voice, trying hard to maintain a respectful posture, and responded loudly: "Please see clearly! These river beasts are by no means innocent! They frequently attack passing merchant ships, causing casualties and loss of cargo; they are a threat we must eliminate."
He bowed slightly, lowering his posture further: "As for the offense against you... this is absolutely a huge misunderstanding; we have no disrespect whatsoever! It was entirely because we failed to recognize your noble disguise."
Knowing the nature of Dragons, the Centaur leader spoke quickly, while simultaneously decisively waving his arm toward the back, and whispered an urgent order: "Bring the box of the highest-quality gold coins from the warehouse."
Several trembling Goblins, who were almost limp on the ground, scrambled toward the warehouse and soon worked together to carry out a heavy metal treasure chest.
Silvermane Zakley stepped forward himself, presenting the treasure, his posture humble to the extreme: "This is the deepest respect and awe that the Molten Iron Tribe expresses for your lofty status! A meager gift, I implore you to accept it, to make up for our ignorant offense!"
However.
The golden giant Dragon hovering in the air did not soften its attitude due to the treasure as expected.
"A gift?"
Alberto's voice turned cold abruptly.
"What do you take me for? A highwayman robbing the road? Or a greedy bandit?!"
The terrifying Dragon might pressed down like a tangible tide, making the kin on the bank feel their knees go weak, almost suffocating.
Cold sweat instantly soaked Silvermane Zakley's mane, and he hurriedly lowered his posture even more, almost prostrating on the ground: "No such intention, great Golden Dragon Your Excellency, you have misunderstood. This is absolutely not a ransom or a bribe; this is merely... merely out of heartfelt awe and the most sincere respect for your majesty. Please, you must... you must accept it!"
He was almost shouting at the Goblins to pile up everything valuable in the stronghold—everything from recent looting and trade—on the bank, forming a small, glittering "mountain of respect" in front of the Golden Dragon.
The brilliant golden giant Dragon hovered quietly, its gaze like a tangible probe, lingering on the Centaur leader's face, who was feigning composure, for a full few seconds. The atmosphere was as oppressive as solidified lead.
Suddenly.
"Hahaha!"
Alberto burst into a loud, hearty laugh that seemed to disperse the night, his Dragon face filled with joy.
"Awe? Respect? Not bad! I like that word!"
His giant Dragon head nodded, his voice filled with "magnanimous" pleasure: "Since it is a gift out of 'respect'... then this time, I will mercifully forgive your ignorant offense."
His broad Dragon wings swept seemingly casually.
Whoosh—! All the gold coins, gems, and valuable items piled on the bank were swept up as if by an invisible tornado, instantly disappearing under those brilliant golden wings.
"Remember, let this not happen again!"
Leaving behind this majestic warning, the massive golden Dragon body flapped its wings violently.
Boom! The strong airflow pressed the river water into a huge depression, and the Golden Dragon's shining figure had already turned into a golden stream of light tearing through the night, soaring into the sky, and disappearing into the deep, starry night sky in the blink of an eye.
However...
The matter did not end there.
Not long after.
At another riverbank stronghold belonging to the Molten Iron Tribe on the Estonia Great River, almost the exact same scene played out again.
The Golden Dragon's behavior ran counter to the noble and benevolent image of a Golden Dragon in rumors; it was more like an Evil Dragon draped in gold scales, systematically and greedily extorting and robbing the wealth of the Molten Iron Tribe.
Meanwhile.
A cold wind carrying the chill from the depths of the Serel Wilderness whistled across the craggy rocks of Dragon Valley.
The actions of the Golden Dragon Alberto, like the cold message carried by the wind, were quickly transmitted there.
Inside the valley, Garros finished his training, a flash of gravity in his eyes, his head raised slightly, and invisible mental fluctuations were transmitted to the Iron Dragon Sorog through the connection of their Bloodline.
"Golden Dragon..."
"His behavior does not seem to be purely for plundering wealth; this is more like a... deliberate provocation, or testing something."
The Red-Iron Dragon's pupils narrowed slightly, pondering in his heart.
"Solrog."
After a few seconds of contemplation, the Red-Iron Dragon issued an order: "Notify Red Dragon Samantha and the breeder Tereshi. You three, go first and meet this... uninvited guest who has come with ill intent."
He himself would not just sit idly in Dragon Valley waiting for the situation.
He would follow secretly, let Solrog and the others appear first to investigate the Golden Dragon's true purpose, and he would act according to the situation. By the way, take Deborah along to ensure nothing goes wrong.