Several years passed.
Liyue was no longer a tiny oasis.
Stone roads now stretched beyond the original settlement.
The farms had expanded.
New wells had been dug.
The population had grown to several hundred.
And the golden statue in the central plaza had become one of the most recognizable landmarks in the desert.
Noel stood on the city wall, looking toward the horizon.
Then a scout came running.
“Lord Noel!”
Noel turned.
“What happened?”
“People are approaching from the western road.”
“How many?”
“About fifty.”
Noel narrowed his eyes.
“Are they hostile?”
“We don’t know.”
Noel immediately headed toward the gate.
The Desert Tribe
A group of humans approached slowly.
Unlike the refugees who had arrived years earlier, these people weren’t desperate.
They carried weapons.
Not shinobi weapons.
Simple spears, bows, and curved blades.
At their front walked an older man wearing a necklace made from animal teeth.
He stopped several meters from the gate.
“I am Haru, chief of the Sand River Tribe.”
Noel stepped forward.
“I’m Noel, founder of Liyue.”
Haru looked behind Noel.
His eyes widened at the enormous stone walls.
“You built all of this?”
“No.”
Noel pointed toward the people behind him.
“We built it.”
Haru studied the city.
“We heard rumors of a strange ruler who gives water to travelers.”
Noel smiled.
“Rumors travel quickly.”
“We came to see if they’re true.”
Noel gestured toward the gates.
“Then come inside.”
The guards looked surprised.
Haru looked at Noel.
“You trust us?”
“No.”
The chief raised an eyebrow.
Noel smiled.
“I simply don’t assume you’re enemies.”
Haru laughed.
“Fair enough.”
An Offer
The Sand River Tribe entered Liyue.
Water flowed through stone channels.
Markets were filled with food.
Children played safely.
Farmers worked the fields.
And then they saw the statue.
Haru stopped.
“…Who is that?”
One of his people whispered:
“That’s Lord Noel.”
Haru looked at Noel.
“You made a statue of yourself?”
Noel immediately shook his head.
“They made it.”
Haru raised an eyebrow.
“Convenient answer.”
Noel sighed.
“Everyone says that.”
😂
After touring the city, Haru sat with Noel.
“Our tribe has a problem.”
Noel listened.
“Our wells are drying.”
“How many people?”
“About two hundred.”
Noel thought for a moment.
“You can use Liyue’s water.”
Haru stared at him.
“In exchange for what?”
“Nothing.”
The chief frowned.
“Nothing?”
“You can trade with us if you want.”
Noel pointed toward the fields.
“We have food.”
Then toward the workshops.
“We have tools.”
“And we have water.”
He looked at Haru.
“If you want to remain independent, remain independent.”
“But if you want to join Liyue…”
Haru was silent.
“What would joining mean?”
Noel answered carefully.
“Protection.”
“Access to water.”
“Trade.”
“And the same laws as everyone else.”
Haru looked toward his people.
They were already staring at the fields.
After several minutes, he smiled.
“We’ll accept your protection.”
The system appeared.
[Sand River Tribe recognized as allied territory.]
[Morax Template Synchronization: 6.4%]
Noel smiled.
“Welcome.”
The First Road
The agreement changed Liyue.
Noel ordered a road built between the two settlements.
Stone bridges crossed dry ravines.
Water channels were extended.
Trading caravans began traveling regularly.
For the first time, Liyue wasn’t simply growing internally.
It was connecting the desert.
Noel stood beside the road as the first caravan departed.
Aran walked beside him.
“You realize what you’ve started?”
Noel smiled.
“Yes.”
Aran looked toward the horizon.
“This could become enormous.”
Noel nodded.
“That’s the plan.”
That night, Noel sat beneath the golden statue.
The faint light surrounded him.
The Tailed Beast connection suddenly activated.
Shukaku.
Noel smiled.
Kurama.
I heard you made an alliance.
Noel frowned.
How did you hear about that?
Gyūki laughed.
Your reputation is spreading.
Son Gokū added:
Apparently you’re becoming a ruler.
Noel sighed.
Apparently.
Kurama was silent for a moment.
Then—
Maybe we really should visit.
Noel opened his eyes.
“You’re serious?”
Don’t get excited.
Noel grinned.
“Too late.”
The connection disappeared.
Noel looked toward the horizon.
For centuries, the nine Tailed Beasts had wandered separately.
But now one of them had created something.
A home.
A nation.
And perhaps…
A place where his siblings could someday belong.
Above him, the golden statue continued to glow.
To be continued…