The world is quite similar to medieval Earth, with the only difference that here bladed weapons - swords, spears, halberds, etc. - are animated and have intelligence. Living blades call themselves “Shining”, and consider people their “Appendages”, without even realizing that people are also intelligent. People, in turn, do not realize that many of their actions are guided not by their own will, but by the will of their intelligent weapons. However, this world is very peaceful and harmonious: the art of fencing here is honed to unimaginable perfection, but all fights are bloodless, despite the fact that everyone is armed and masters weapons - or, rather, thanks to this. This is a highly aestheticized and fairly stable world - but there is practically no progress in it - only fencing and blacksmithing are developing - after all, people have no idea that they often act under the influence of their swords. And in this harmonious and stable world, mysterious bloody murders begin. Both people and the Shining Ones are in shock - this hasn’t happened for almost eight centuries!.. The main character of the novel, Chen Anchor, is assigned to investigate these murders. All this happens against the backdrop of a radical turning point in the destinies of the whole world, battle scenes alternate with philosophical reflections, the adventures of the hero they take him far from his hometown, into the wild steppes of Shulma - and there... The novel is written at the intersection of “fantasy” and “alternative history”; has a dynamic plot, but at the same time raises deep philosophical and psychological problems, including the moral aspects of martial arts...