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The northeastern corner of Teyvat is home to the famous Kingdom of Wind. Within its borders lies Mondstadt, a city of poetry and idyllic songs, known far and wide as the City of Wind and Freedom . The people here are free-spirited and cheerful .
Blessed with a temperate climate, fertile land, and the favor of the Anemo Archon, they never worry about food or clothing. This abundance even allows them to use their surplus grain to brew the fine wines that have made the city's reputation.
They live comfortably, their songs of hope carried across the plains by the breeze and dandelion seeds.
Today, a large crowd of Mondstadters gathered at the Wind and Bird Bookstore, a shop that has quickly become a local sensation. While the store sells various novels on weekdays, its main draw is the occasional release of new works by its owner.
People initially flocked here just because of his name, but they stayed because the stories were genuinely captivating. In a city that cherishes bards and poetry, an interesting book spreads like wildfire.
It also helps that the owner is a man of great prestige: the Wind Knight, who recently left the Knights of Favonius. Known for his incredible ability and connections, he is deeply respected by the citizenry. It's no surprise, then, that his shop became an overnight success. As the doors opened, clerks began serving the eager line of customers, who excitedly discussed the plots of their favorite volumes.
"Oh, it's finally open!" one customer exclaimed. "I heard the seventh volume of 'To Save Mondstadt, Debut and Become an Idol!' goes on sale today. The first three hundred copies are signed! Hurry up, we have to get one!"
"I'm buying two copies, signature or not," another replied. "I came early just for the collection. These books carry the aura of Lord Ye Ruo himself. They're precious!"
The speaker was Irene, a young girl with golden hair and a vibrant, youthful energy. She was a devoted fan of the Wind Knight and had even postponed her daily training just to be here. Her face flushed with excitement, though her expression soured as she remembered something.
"I heard some guys buy the autographed novels just to resell them at high prices," Irene grumbled, gritting her teeth. "It's a waste of Master Ye Ruo's hard work. They should be arrested!"
Yuri, a married woman standing beside her, offered a calm smile. "That's just how business works, dear. If there's a profit to be made, people will try it. But the Wind Knight made a rule that each person can only buy one signed copy. Isn't that much better?"
A girl with freckles nearby looked confused. "Wait, didn't you say he quit the Knights of Favonius? Why do you still call him a knight?"
Irene and Yuri exchanged a look of amusement. "Master Ye Ruo quits the Knights all the time," Irene explained. "Then he goes back, then he quits again.
He's done it many times. But his military record is outstanding and his contributions are massive. Since neither the Grand Master nor the Acting Grand Master have said anything, everyone's just gotten used to it. He'll probably go back eventually. Are you new to the city?"
To the people of Mondstadt, Ye Ruo is far more efficient than most knights. He handles problems cleanly and is incredibly active in clearing out monster infestations. His efforts have made the outskirts of the city much safer for merchants and travelers alike, earning him widespread gratitude.
He is considered a genius, second only to the likes of Varka, the Knight of the Boreas, and Jean, the Acting Grand Master. Young, handsome, and capable, everyone believes he is destined to become a legend. His habit of leaving and returning to the order is seen as just another quirk of a reliable guardian.
"I see," the freckled girl said, scratching her head. "I'm from Springvale and lived in Liyue for a while, so I didn't know. I was just so surprised by 'To Save Mondstadt, Debut and Become an Idol!'. Writing about Lady Barbara and Master Jean becoming idols to save the city... I thought it was incredible. Mondstadt is free, but isn't that too free? I'd be afraid the Knights would knock on my door the next day."
She smiled when she realized the truth. "But if it was written by one of the Knights' own bigwigs, I guess it's okay."
A man named Albert poked his head into the conversation, his eyes alight with passion. "Don't underestimate that book! Every idol Lord Ye Ruo describes is perfect, especially Lady Barbara!. She's so serious and hardworking.
Even though idol culture is new to her, she perseveres even when she's not feeling well. As a fan, I was moved to tears. Every character has a shining moment. It's a divine work!"
Irene nodded silently. To her, the Master Jean in the book was magnificent—majestic yet possessing the gentleness of an older sister toward the group. It was exactly what she wanted to read.
Since Irene admired Jean and hoped to join the Knights herself, the portrayal made her even more eager to become Jean's deputy and help with her burdens. Master Ye Ruo's writing was truly extraordinary.
Yuri just shook her head, slightly speechless at their intensity. "Is that so? I think the book is good, but you're exaggerating. Personally, I'm here for 'Detective of the Windy City'. It's about two young men who use a secret treasure containing the power of the Anemo Archon to become two mysterious knights in one body. It's a very interesting story".