As the sturdy trees receded behind them and even the weary old ox raised its horns toward the sun,
Tang Qi finally caught sight of the city standing upon the plains—
The first thing that entered his view was a massive, withered Giant Dragon skeleton leaning against the southern mountain.
The Giant Dragon's flesh and blood had long since turned to ash with the passage of time, scattering into the wind and sand.
Yet from the shape of those remains, one could vaguely tell that in its final moments, it had lain sleeping atop the ridge.
Its spine pressed into the mountain, allowing half of a splendid, palace-like city to stand securely along the mountainside.
"There's even a dragon head carved into a hall—but why is the waterfall flowing out from beneath its head? It feels like it's spitting water."
The majestic sight filled Tang Qi with inexplicable excitement.
Wasn't this exactly why he had longed to embark on an adventure? To etch into his memories things that had once existed only in his imagination?
"That's the Dragon Political Hall. It's where Public Lord Leon Lionheart and the Masked Lords discuss important matters.
Of course, it isn't only for the lords. The Supreme Court is inside as well.
And on ordinary days, the hall rents out some small meeting rooms."
As a native citizen of Dragon Gold City, Melard made an excellent guide.
"It's just that the rent is expensive. Only wealthy people from the Upper City would rent one for important matters."
Tang Qi then looked down along the Giant Dragon's spine toward the foot of the mountain—
Its tailbone was long and stretched across the open plains, while layered city walls surrounded it and divided the districts.
The tiles and tall buildings were uneven yet orderly. They were