The next morning, something strange happened.
The first residents gathered around the stone statue as usual.
Its faint golden glow had always been beautiful.
But today…
It felt different.
A tired farmer approached the statue and sat beneath it.
He had barely slept for several nights.
Yet after only a few minutes, his breathing slowed.
His shoulders relaxed.
The anxiety that had been weighing on him seemed to fade.
“…I feel peaceful.”
The others looked at him.
Then another resident stepped forward.
An elderly man who had injured his leg several days earlier.
He placed his hand against the statue.
A warm golden light spread across his hand.
His pain gradually disappeared.
The man stared at his leg.
“I…”
He slowly stood.
“I can walk.”
Everyone froze.
Noel, who had been watching from across the settlement, raised an eyebrow.
“…I didn’t program that.”
The system appeared.
[Monumental Authority detected.]
[The statue has absorbed a portion of the host’s Geo authority.]
[Passive effects established.]
Noel walked closer.
“Effects?”
[Effect 1: Tranquility]
[Citizens near the monument experience reduced fear, stress, and emotional turmoil.]
Another line appeared.
[Effect 2: Restoration]
[The statue can gradually heal minor injuries and restore physical exhaustion.]
Noel’s eyes widened.
“That’s actually useful.”
Then the final notification appeared.
[Effect 3: Geo Vision Recognition]
[The monument can recognize individuals possessing exceptional ambition, determination, or passion.]
[Eligible citizens may receive a Geo Vision.]
Noel stared.
“…Wait.”
He looked at the statue.
“So the statue can give Visions?”
[Yes.]
Noel’s expression became serious.
“Only citizens?”
[Confirmed.]
“People from outside?”
[Not eligible.]
“Even if they’re extremely ambitious?”
[Citizenship requirement remains absolute.]
Noel smiled.
“Good.”
That was exactly the rule he wanted.
The power of his nation belonged to its people.
The First Vision
That afternoon, the settlement was unusually lively.
Everyone had heard about the strange effects of the statue.
People gathered around it.
Some were curious.
Others were skeptical.
One young man stepped forward.
His name was Aran.
He was one of the first twelve residents.
Aran had spent every day helping construct irrigation channels.
Even when he was exhausted, he continued working.
Noel had noticed him before.
Aran placed his hand against the statue.
Nothing happened.
He lowered his head.
“Maybe I’m not worthy.”
Noel shook his head.
“That’s not what it means.”
Aran looked up.
“You don’t need to prove yourself to a statue.”
“But…”
Noel smiled.
“Tell me.”
“What do you want?”
Aran hesitated.
Then he clenched his fist.
“I want to make this desert bloom.”
Everyone became quiet.
Aran continued.
“I want children to grow up here without fearing hunger.”
“I want farmers to have enough water.”
“I want our settlement to become a real home.”
His voice became stronger.
“And someday…”
He looked toward the endless desert.
“I want to see green fields where there is nothing but sand.”
The statue suddenly glowed.
WHOOM.
Golden light spread across the settlement.
Everyone stepped back.
A small crystal appeared in the air.
It slowly descended.
Thud.
It landed in Aran’s hands.
A golden emblem shone at its center.
Geo.
Everyone stared.
Aran’s hands trembled.
“A…
Vision?”
Noel smiled.
“Congratulations.”
Aran looked at him.
“Lord Noel…”
Noel shook his head.
“You earned it.”
The system appeared.
[Geo Vision successfully granted.]
[Reason: Exceptional ambition and dedication.]
[Citizen status confirmed.]
The people erupted in celebration.
For the first time, the nation had a Vision bearer.
A New Tradition
That evening, Noel gathered everyone beneath the statue.
He made one announcement.
“The Vision isn’t a reward for being better than someone else.”
Everyone listened.
“It’s a tool.”
He pointed toward Aran.
“If you receive one, use it to protect this land and pursue what you believe in.”
Aran nodded.
Noel continued.
“And remember…”
He looked at the glowing statue.
“The Vision belongs to you.”
“It doesn’t make you superior to anyone else.”
The residents nodded.
That became another important principle of the young nation.
That night, Noel stood alone beneath the statue.
The golden light illuminated his face.
He looked at the tiny settlement.
Fourteen people.
One Geo Vision bearer.
A handful of buildings.
A small oasis.
It was nothing compared to the great civilizations that would eventually appear.
But it was his beginning.
The system appeared.
[Nation Development: 4%]
[Morax Template Synchronization: 0.7%]
Noel smiled.
“Slowly…”
He looked at the stars.
“We’ll get there.”
Far away, beyond the desert, other human settlements were beginning to grow.
Families were becoming tribes.
Tribes would eventually become clans.
And centuries later, those clans would build the great shinobi nations.
But before any of that happened…
There was a tiny oasis.
A glowing golden statue.
And a Tailed Beast who had decided to build a home.
To be continued…