Venice at the end of the 15th century. The city of the all-powerful and all-seeing Council of Ten and Doges, who annually conduct the betrothal ceremony of the Most Serene Republic with the Adriatic Sea. The city of merchants and sailors, brilliant courtesans and great architects. This city is not used to believing fairy tales and legends. But now something strange and frightening is happening in Venice. Rumors are spreading around the city about a mysterious Byzantine book containing the secrets of the philosopher's stone and the elixir of eternal youth...Where is it? Who owns it? The Doge and members of the Council, aristocrats and merchants, warriors and adventurers are hunting for the mysterious manuscript. But strangely enough, the true location of the manuscript and the name of the keeper are known only to the poor orphan Luciano, who, by the will of fate, became an apprentice to the famous cook Ferrero...