I, Valon, am frantically searching for my mother.

Arrive in Hel, the world's highest city!

Oh my, how beautiful Hel is!

When Wayne stood on a high slope and saw the entire city for the first time, even with the discerning eye of a green dragon, he couldn't help but feel the above sentiment.

Hel is not the kind of rough, messy, fear-filled, and bloody primitive settlement commonly found near dragon lairs.

What unfolds before us is a colossal city, nestled against mountains and beside water, of magnificent scale and orderly layout.

Its vast area, dense buildings, and magnificent scale make it no exaggeration to call it a small human kingdom.

The towering city walls, built of some kind of pale golden stone, shimmered with a warm yet solid luster in the sunlight, winding like a giant dragon, firmly guarding the city's core area.

Inside the city walls, the densely packed houses, streets, squares, and towers resemble chess pieces on a chessboard, yet their orderly arrangement exudes a vibrant vitality.

Several wide rivers flow through the city, their surfaces dotted with sails and spanned by bridges that arch like rainbows. Further away, at the foot of the mountains that the city nestles against, one can even see vast expanses of neatly planned farmland and orchards, supplying this giant city with sustenance.

To the north of the city center, there are also majestic mountain ranges known as the Varius.

It is not naturally formed as steep and desolate, but rather has winding roads carved into the mountainside, vaguely visible ornate platforms and colonnades, and even waterfalls introduced into artificial channels, forming shimmering silver chains.

That is where the golden dragon dwells.

"It's truly... magnificent."

Wayne muttered to himself, his red, vertical pupils scrutinizing the miraculous city.

"Golden Dragon... he really knows how to enjoy himself."

Based on the information he extracted from Lyle and combined with the information he obtained through his previous covert reconnaissance, Hel's ability to develop to such an extent was inseparable from the unique habits of the Golden Dragon.

Unlike other five-colored dragons, which generally regard humans as slaves, food, or toys, the vast majority of metallic dragons, especially gold dragons, are quite friendly and curious towards the Orderly Races, particularly humans.

They enjoy observing, researching, and even guiding the development of human civilization to a certain extent.

The golden dragons' immense power, their natural deterrent against evil, and their inherently reasonable nature have made their territory a safe oasis in the chaotic wilderness.

Monsters and large-scale bandits dared not approach easily, trade routes were kept open, and craftsmen, scholars, farmers, and merchants were able to settle down, produce, and trade here in peace.

Over the years, wealth and knowledge have gathered and fermented here, eventually giving rise to a massive and prosperous nation like Hull.

Of course, the Golden Dragons' protection and friendliness were not without reward. They would reasonably levy a management fee or tribute based on the prosperity and trade volume of the territories they controlled, which constituted one of the important sources of their astonishing wealth.

Thus, a peculiar symbiotic relationship easily forms near the golden dragon's nest:

Humans gain security and space for development, while the golden dragons gain stable wealth, interesting subjects to observe, and a thriving territory that aligns with their ideals of order and goodness.

Of course, Wayne has no interest in humans; his goal is very clear:

Find the golden dragon living here and try to make him your mother.

He had previously used the invisibility of the snake charm and the speed of the rabbit charm to conduct several efficient reconnaissance missions throughout the city of Hel.

The Golden Dragon's lair is located somewhere near the summit of the Valius Mountains, where there are open platforms, magnificent colonnade ruins, and a strong dragon's aura.

However, to Wayne's dismay, he was unable to directly infiltrate the mountain region.

The outer layer of the Valius Mountains is shrouded in a powerful and stable magical barrier.

This barrier is not just a simple screen; it also serves as a means of identification and warning.

Wayne could sense that if he forced his way in, it would likely trigger an alarm immediately, attracting unnecessary attention or even an attack.

With the immense power of the Ox Talisman within him, Wayne felt confident enough to attempt a brute-force attack on the barrier. However, his superior wisdom as a green dragon and the Holy Lord compelled him to resist his curiosity and refrain from trying to unleash the Ox Talisman's power to attack the barrier.

"I'm here to find my mother, not to cause trouble."

Wayne muttered to himself and shook his head.

Forcibly breaking through the barrier and barging in is no different from a robber breaking into a house. Wayne has no doubt that he will immediately start fighting the golden dragon inside.

It seems we have no choice but to enter Hel City first and then make further plans.

Previously, reconnaissance was conducted covertly, moving swiftly like the wind. However, to stay in the city long-term and legally, gather information, and seek an opportunity to contact the Golden Dragon, a legitimate identity and entry record are necessary. While orderly cities like Hel have some control over the movement of people, they are not inhumane.

Wayne was prepared for this.

Before leaving, Lyle not only provided intelligence, but also contributed a magical item he had kept hidden away—an amulet made from the essence of a shapeshifter.

It is said that this was a high-end item that Queen Anna obtained in her early years through a trade with a passing caravan. It can help the user better disguise themselves and blend into the society of humans or other humanoid beings.

This was a godsend for Wayne, who needed to infiltrate human cities.

Soon, in a deserted woodland outside the city, Wayne activated the amulet.

A flash of light appeared, and the magnificent golden-green dragon disappeared, replaced by a human boy who looked to be about twelve or thirteen years old.

The boy had short, smooth black hair, healthy white skin, and delicate, handsome features, especially his pair of black eyes, which at first glance appeared clear and bright, but upon closer inspection seemed to hide a calmness beyond his years and a hint of cunning that was not easily detected.

Wayne was dressed in a slightly oversized but plain linen shirt and trousers, and on his feet were sturdy travel boots.

These were all purchased in a nearby town with very little money.

Overall, he looks like a well-off nobleman or wealthy merchant's son traveling alone, looking travel-worn but still possessing a refined and intelligent air.

"Hmm, not bad. I guess I was this handsome in my past life too!"

Wayne looked at his reflection in the puddle and was fairly satisfied.

The green dragon's natural talent for disguise was already quite good, and this amulet was the icing on the cake.

The process of entering the city went surprisingly smoothly. At the tall, continuous city gate, guards in gleaming armor and full of vigor strictly yet politely checked the flow of people entering the city.

When it was Wayne's turn, the guard simply asked what his purpose was.

Wayne simply replied that he was going to stay with relatives. The other party looked at his luggage, registered a temporary identity card, waved him on, and even kindly reminded him to be careful since he was new to the area.

There was no obstruction, no solicitation of bribes; everything was conducted according to clear rules and regulations.

"The order under the Golden Dragon's rule... is indeed different."

Wayne thought to himself that he had gained a more direct understanding of Jinlong's management style, which gave him some more nuanced thoughts about persuading Jinlong to become a mother.

However, the excitement of entering the city was quickly dampened by reality.

Because Wayne found himself facing a major problem from the very beginning.