A civil war is raging in the vastness of the Empire, and even though the demon emperor managed to win the first victories in the struggle for his power and life, the hope of victory is still very, very illusory. Ashtia Solor, who won the first battles for the emperor, Sergei’s only patron, the only one who can help him survive, has been removed from all posts and deprived of influence. She is teetering on the edge of death. The star of a new commander-in-chief begins to rise over the Empire, who in his cruelty and malice is many times greater than the demon ruler himself. Under his rule, jealous of other people's successes, Sergei, like his noble patroness, cannot expect anything good.