The world beyond, built by Drachton Bellow based on visionary poems, has changed. However, the man who changed him—physiognomist Clay—disappeared without a trace. Is he alive or killed? The demon Misrix, who is trying in vain to become human, is trying to find out this. The thirst to find out about the fate of Clay leads the loser demon from the ruins of the destroyed City to a new settlement founded by the victorious rebels - but there he is unexpectedly accused of killing the one he is trying to find... The demon can be judged - but is it possible to execute him? A hero can be declared dead, but will that make him dead?