"Wise captain, and all you brave sailors!"

Seeing that the destination was about to be reached, Alberto’s face was brimming with enthusiasm, his voice bright and clear as he greeted everyone. He gracefully took out a finely crafted harp from behind his waist, exuding a faint woody fragrance.

"Thank you all for your generous companionship and care along the way. I once adventured in the legendary Eternal Radiance Forest, and was fortunate enough to learn an ancient melody imbued with the spirit of nature from the Forest fairies residing there."

He bowed slightly, performing a gentlemanly adventurer’s gesture.

"Please allow me to offer this tune as a humble token of gratitude for this journey!"

Before he finished speaking, his figure swayed and he leapt lightly to the widest part of the deck.

Under the captain and sailors’ curious and expectant gaze, Alberto’s expression instantly turned exceedingly focused.

His long and elegant fingers, as if infused with magic, gently and precisely brushed across the harp strings.

Plink... the first ethereal, pure note leapt forth, breaking the quiet air above the river, followed by a series of distant, pristine melodies, as if originating from the depths of the forest or the earth’s pulse, began to flow like a babbling stream, lightly encircling between the ship’s sides and masts, causing the audience’s tense spirits to involuntarily relax, as if instantly transported from a monotonous river journey into a vast, ancient forest full of life, with gentle breezes and swaying shadows of trees.

More astonishing, 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

was that while his fingers skillfully plucked the harp strings, Alberto’s slender, agile, vibrant body also began to dance with the rhythm, the dance combining the elegance of elves, the passion of humans, and a touch of indescribable exotic charm, at times like a deer bounding through the forest, and at others like vines swaying in the wind, full of vigorous vitality and pure artistic influence.

"Bravo! Wonderful!"

"This young man has some talent!"

The audience was deeply captivated by this outstanding performance, erupting into enthusiastic applause and genuine cheers of praise.

And in the center of the performance, Alberto’s face was glowing with a pure and radiant smile, his eyes intoxicated, seemingly completely immersed in the ultimate joy brought by music and dance, enjoying this brief and simple pleasure.

No one could imagine, let alone perceive.

That this fiery, talented, sun-like young adventurer before them... was actually, in truth, the pinnacle of the legendary Metal Dragon Race, the incarnation of wisdom and power—the Golden Dragon!

The Golden Dragon Race, exceptionally skilled at perfectly disguising as various humanoid beings.

This method allows the accustomed solitary Golden Dragon to temporarily shed the burdens of heavy responsibilities and experience light-hearted moments surrounded by companions, sharing simple joys.

Additionally worth mentioning,

No matter the true nature of the Golden Dragon itself—whether kind, aloof, objective, or harboring ambitions like Alberto.

Once selecting and entering a "disguise role," they would adhere with near-arrogant professionalism to the role’s behavioral logic, emotional expression, and even habitual details, never breaking the carefully constructed character facade due to a momentary emotional fluctuation or accident.

Soon after.

Adventurer Alberto, with a radiant smile, waved goodbye to the captain and sailors, then his figure flashed lightly and vanished into the lush, tangled vines of the dense jungle along the riverbank, disappearing without a trace.

The night hung like thick ink, slowly dyeing the vast sky.

Stars scattered like fragmented diamonds inlaid on the deep blue velvet curtain, the clear starlight falling upon the surging Estonian River surface.

At a riverside checkpoint, atop a reinforced watchtower platform.

Silver-maned Zakli led a team of nimble Centaur Divine Archers, standing vigilantly prepared.

Their strong arms were tense and their bows drawn like full moons, sharp and eagle-like eyes penetrating the cool night breeze, locking firmly onto the increasingly turbulent and rolling river surface below in the darkness.

Minutes passed.

Swish—!

The originally rhythmic sound of the waves suddenly turned fierce and unnatural.

The river’s central area abruptly burst with large splashes, several massive shadows darting swiftly under the water, stirring chaotic whirlpools.

"Raise the net!"

Silver-maned Zakli’s eyes turned sharp, his deep command exploded like thunder.

Buzz—!!!

Accompanied by the heavy sound of crank and winch, combined with the ogres’ rough roar, the strong ogres ambushed on both riverbanks exerted force suddenly, hoisting up a giant net woven from special metals and entwined with thick iron chains, emerging from the water, like an iron barrier spanning the river channel, firmly intercepting those vicious water beasts attempting to rush upstream.

Crash! Crash!

Water splashed like torrential rain.

Many large, tusked river beasts were caught off guard by the obstruction, some crashing into the sturdy iron chain net with muffled thuds; others relying on brute strength to leap high out of the water, trying to cross this blockade line, carving wild arcs in the air.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Almost in the same moment, the Centaur Divine Archers’ arrows released, bowstrings’ trembling hums tearing the air, each sharp arrow with special design flashing faint alchemy enchantment glows, piercing with precision those beasts that jumped from the water or tried to strike the iron net!