The enormous silhouette stood beyond Liyue’s gates.
The citizens had gathered behind the walls.
Some were frightened.
Others were simply staring.
Noel walked toward the gate alone.
The giant creature stepped forward.
Moonlight revealed its form.
A massive blue-green turtle-like body.
Three tails moved slowly behind it.
Noel’s eyes widened.
“…Isobu?”
The Three-Tails looked at him.
Shukaku.
Noel smiled.
Isobu.
The other Tailed Beast lowered its head slightly.
So this is what you’ve been building.
Noel gestured toward the city.
“Welcome to Liyue.”
Isobu looked around.
The stone walls.
The oasis.
The farms.
The lights from hundreds of homes.
And finally—
The golden statue.
You really did all this.
Noel chuckled.
“Seven years ago, there was nothing here.”
Isobu was silent.
Then he looked toward the people.
They trust you.
Noel glanced back.
“I try to give them a reason to.”
A Question
Isobu slowly entered the city.
The citizens were nervous at first.
But the golden statue began glowing slightly brighter.
The same peaceful sensation spread through the streets.
Children slowly came out of their houses.
One little boy stared at Isobu.
“He’s huge.”
His mother immediately pulled him back.
“Don’t stare!”
Isobu blinked.
Then lowered his head.
The boy’s fear disappeared.
He reached out.
Isobu allowed him to touch his shell.
The boy’s eyes widened.
“It’s hard!”
Noel laughed.
Isobu looked at him.
Your humans are strange.
Noel smiled.
“You’ll get used to them.”
The Proposal
That evening, Noel and Isobu sat near the oasis. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
Isobu watched the city.
Why did you build this place?
Noel answered honestly.
“Because I didn’t want to spend centuries wandering around.”
Isobu looked at him.
You could have simply stayed alone.
“I could have.”
Noel looked toward the city.
“But I wanted a home.”
Isobu was quiet.
Then he asked:
And what happens when humans begin fighting each other?
Noel’s expression became serious.
“Then I’ll protect my people.”
Even from humans?
“Yes.”
Even from other Tailed Beasts?
Noel paused.
Then smiled.
“Hopefully, it never comes to that.”
Isobu looked at him for a long moment.
I understand.
The Offer
Noel stood.
“There is something I’d like to ask you.”
Isobu looked at him.
What?
Noel pointed toward the city.
“You can stay here.”
Isobu’s eyes widened slightly.
Stay?
“Yes.”
“You don’t have to become my servant.”
“You don’t have to obey me.”
“You don’t even have to live inside the city.”
Noel smiled.
“You can have your own territory.”
Isobu looked toward the desert.
Then toward the people.
Why?
Noel answered simply.
“Because you’re my sibling.”
Silence.
The wind moved across the oasis.
Isobu slowly closed his eyes.
…I would like that.
Noel smiled.
“Then welcome home.”
The Guardian Beast
The next morning, Noel gathered the citizens.
Isobu stood behind him.
Noel raised his voice.
“From today onward, Isobu will be recognized as a protector of Liyue.”
The crowd stared.
Noel continued.
“He is not your ruler.”
“He is not your king.”
The people slowly began cheering.
Isobu looked surprised.
Noel smiled.
“And if he agrees…”
He looked toward Isobu.
“…I’d like him to become the Guardian Beast of Liyue.”
Isobu nodded.
I accept.
The system appeared.
[Guardian Beast recognized.]
[Isobu — Guardian Beast of Liyue.]
[Territorial protection increased.]
[Liyue’s spiritual stability increased.]
Noel smiled.
Then he looked toward the plaza.
“We’ll build your monument tomorrow.”
Isobu blinked.
Monument?
Noel nodded.
“Every important guardian deserves one.”
Isobu looked suspicious.
How large?
Noel grinned.
“Very.”
Isobu sighed.
I knew it.
😂
The Second Statue
By sunset, the citizens had already begun discussing the monument.
A new plaza would be built near the western lake.
At its center would stand a massive stone statue of Isobu.
The statue wouldn’t replace Noel’s.
It would stand beside it.
Two guardians.
Two symbols.
One nation.
And for the first time, Liyue had something it had never possessed before:
A Tailed Beast who had chosen to call it home.
Far away, the other Tailed Beasts felt Isobu’s chakra settle within Liyue.
Kurama opened his eyes.
Isobu stayed.
Gyūki smiled.
Apparently.
Son Gokū laughed.
Shukaku actually convinced one of us to live with humans.
Kurama sighed.
This is getting interesting.
Back in Liyue, Noel looked toward the stars.
He smiled.
“One guardian.”
He looked toward the growing city.
“One nation.”
Then he glanced at Isobu.
“And eight siblings left to annoy me.”
Isobu laughed.
You’re going to invite them too, aren’t you?
Noel smiled.
“…Maybe.”
To be continued…