The first part introduces Don Ignatio’s past, identity, and the origins of the legend that drives the narrative. Tragedies within his family and the pressures of colonial life deepen the emotional and historical background of the story. The legend of the lost Golden City, the “City of the Heart,” gradually takes shape as the central mystery. Relationships, especially with Strickland, set the direction for the coming expedition. As the journey into caves and ancient ruins begins, the boundary between reality and myth starts to blur, laying the foundation for the adventure ahead.
