Three weeks had passed since Son Gokū’s visit.
Liyue had returned to its normal rhythm.
The Great Desert Road continued to expand.
The academy was preparing a new astronomy wing.
Mira and several other Geo Vision bearers were working on bridges.
And Isobu had returned to spending most of his time in his enormous lake.
But Noel had noticed something.
Every few days, someone reported seeing a massive reddish figure near the southern edge of Liyue.
Son Gokū was still nearby.
He just wasn’t entering the city.
Noel smiled.
“He’s thinking about it.”
Isobu’s head rose from the lake.
He’s been thinking for three weeks.
“That’s still thinking.”
You humans are impatient.
Noel pointed at Isobu.
“You’re one to talk.”
I have patience.
“You complained about your statue for three days.”
Isobu became silent.
“…That was different.”
😂
Another Visit
That evening, the southern gate guards reported something unusual.
“Lord Noel!”
Noel looked up from his desk.
“What is it?”
“The Four-Tails is here again.”
Noel immediately stood.
“Let him in.”
The guards exchanged nervous looks.
“Through the gate?”
Noel thought about the enormous opening they’d created last time.
“…Actually, I’ll meet him outside.”
Noel walked beyond the city walls.
Son Gokū was sitting on a rocky hill overlooking Liyue.
He wasn’t causing trouble.
He was simply watching.
Noel approached.
“You came back.”
Son Gokū glanced at him.
“I did.”
“Why?”
Son Gokū looked toward the city.
“I wanted to see it again.”
Noel sat beside him.
Neither spoke for a moment.
Below them, the lights of Liyue slowly appeared as evening arrived.
The Question
Son Gokū finally spoke.
“How many people live there now?”
“Over three thousand.”
“And they all know what you are?”
Noel smiled.
“They know I’m Shukaku.”
Son Gokū looked at him.
“That’s not what I meant.”
Noel understood.
“They know I’m a Tailed Beast.”
“And they still follow you?”
“Yes.”
Son Gokū was silent.
“Why?”
Noel shrugged.
“That’s it?”
“Not exactly.”
Noel looked toward the academy.
“I also gave them a place where they could build their own lives.”
Son Gokū’s expression softened.
“Humans usually fear us.”
“I know.”
“They run.”
“I know.”
“They try to control us.”
“I know.”
Son Gokū looked at his four tails.
“So why don’t yours?”
Noel smiled.
“Because I never asked them to worship me.”
Son Gokū stared at him.
Noel continued.
“They can disagree with me.”
“They can question me.”
“They can leave.”
“And if they make mistakes?”
“They learn.”
Son Gokū chuckled.
“That’s a strange way to rule.”
Noel smiled.
“Maybe.”
The Golden Statue
Son Gokū suddenly noticed the glow coming from Liyue’s central plaza.
“That statue.”
“Hm?”
“It gives off a strange feeling.”
Noel nodded.
“It helps calm people.”
“How?”
“I’m not completely sure.”
Son Gokū narrowed his eyes.
“And it gives those crystals?”
“Geo Visions.”
“Only to people in your territory?”
Noel nodded.
“That’s the rule.”
Son Gokū looked surprised.
“So someone outside Liyue can’t receive one?”
“Not from my statue.”
Son Gokū smiled.
“Interesting.”
Noel looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because you’re not trying to spread your power everywhere.”
Noel shrugged.
“Liyue is my responsibility.”
He looked toward the city.
“Not the entire world.”
The Decision
The sun had disappeared completely.
Stars filled the sky.
Son Gokū stood.
“I’ve made my decision.”
Noel looked up.
“About what?”
Son Gokū smiled.
“I’ll stay.”
Noel blinked.
“…Really?”
“I’ve wandered for a long time.”
He looked toward the city.
“Maybe it’s time I try having a home.”
“Welcome to Liyue.”
Son Gokū laughed.
“Don’t make a big ceremony.”
Noel paused.
“Too late.”
Son Gokū’s smile disappeared.
“…What?”
The Second Guardian
The next morning, the entire city gathered.
A new monument was being prepared.
Not a monument to a god.
Not a monument to a ruler.
A monument to a guardian.
Son Gokū stood beside Noel.
Noel addressed the crowd.
“Today, another of my siblings has chosen to make Liyue his home.”
The people cheered.
Son Gokū looked slightly embarrassed.
Noel continued.
“From this day forward, Son Gokū will be recognized as one of Liyue’s Guardian Beasts.”
The system appeared.
[Guardian Beast recognized.]
[Son Gokū — Guardian Beast of Liyue.]
[Defensive potential increased.]
[Liyue’s spiritual stability increased.]
Son Gokū looked at Noel.
“You actually did it.”
Noel smiled.
“I told you.”
The New Monument
The sculptors had already prepared the design.
A massive stone statue of Son Gokū stood with four tails spread behind him.
Unlike Isobu’s monument, which stood beside the lake, Son Gokū’s statue would stand near the southern gate.
Its inscription read:
SON GOKŪ
FOUR-TAILED BEAST
GUARDIAN OF LIYUE
He who walks beside the people, not above them.
May his strength protect the road, and his spirit remain free.
Son Gokū stared at the inscription.
For once, he didn’t make a joke.
“…I like it.”
Noel smiled.
“Good.”
Isobu called from the lake.
Mine is still bigger.
Son Gokū immediately shouted:
“WHAT?!”
Noel covered his face.
“Here we go…”
The citizens burst into laughter.
That evening, two Tailed Beasts stood together beneath the stars.
One guarded the lake.
One guarded the southern road.
And at the center of it all stood Noel.
The founder of Liyue.
The Tailed Beast who had become a ruler.
And increasingly…
The figure the people were beginning to call their Geo Archon.
But Noel had no idea that his growing nation had attracted attention from someone far beyond the desert.
Someone who had been watching Liyue’s development from afar.
And that observer had just heard something very interesting:
A Tailed Beast had willingly chosen to serve as a guardian of a human nation.
To be continued…