The Tower of Mondstadt: Vol. 1

In the gloomy age of aristocratic tyranny, an outland maiden and an orphan burdened with ill omen meet before a tower—does their encounter foreshadow a destined tragedy? A gorgeous historical novel, The Tower of Mondstadt—the curtain rises!

In the far aristocratic age a tower stood on Mondstadt's square. Though named for the Anemo Archon Barbatos, it was in truth only a sign of the nobles' own power. In that dark age common folk lived under the aristocracy's oppression, and only at the Windblume Festival could they taste limited joy.

That year's Windblume, a beautiful outland maiden appeared on the tower. Her name was Ines, a wandering singer of a far nomadic people. In a moment all on the square were drawn by her grace—noble and slave, old and child alike raced to watch her throw the Windblume ball and hear her chant foreign verse.

"Barbatos's blessing belongs to every one of you—to wear a long face on such a day is itself a sin!"

Singing so, Ines gave the festival's earnings to the city's poor and orphans.

A lean figure mixed among the crowd—the then Grand Cardinal. He fell for Ines at first sight, yet his faithful loyalty to the god made him deeply ashamed of feelings he could not check. Seeing Ines's freehanded acts, he was also angered that this foreign girl had encroached on the Church's right to alms for the poor.

As all know, in Mondstadt's faith today Barbatos always encourages people to pursue what they love and throw themselves into freedom. But in that oppressive age when the Anemo Archon slept, under noble pressure, popular poverty, and a demon dragon's rampage, the puppet Church that called itself "orthodox" preached abstinence and pure cultivation to escape divine punishment, and the harp of wind was allowed only songs deemed "holy." In truth "divine punishment" was more often an excuse the nobles invented to cover their exactions and limit common freedom.

"If this girl stays in the city, everyone will surely be enchanted. What kind of witch is she?" the Cardinal mused.

So he plotted to seize Ines and lock her in the Church pending judgment. By aristocratic custom the chosen Windblume girl had to serve three days at the noble court after the festival, under noble protection for those three days. The Cardinal had his adopted son Octavi slip into the court and abduct Ines.

Octavi was an unwelcome child, abandoned at birth by superstitious parents and raised by the Cardinal. As a boy townsfolk had beaten and shunned him as an omen that brought the demon dragon; only the Cardinal protected him. Having tasted the world's cold and warmth, and with the Cardinal caring for him as a father, he trusted the Cardinal almost without condition.

"Bring me yesterday's Windblume girl. Alarm no one; speak my name to no one."

Under that order, simple-hearted Octavi climbed the balcony of the court guest chamber under deep night. But seeing the girl weeping in moonlight—a sight he had never seen—stirred a wave in his heart. Staring only at her on the balcony, he forgot his task. Until noble servants raised a clamor and woke him and the girl from pure silence…