Russia is preparing for its first Olympics. The honor of the Empire is at stake. But of course—this is precisely when something terrible happens: the Diamond Star of Andrei the First-Called has been stolen, the highest order of the state. The theft involves people whom the official for special assignments, Rodion Vanzarov, could not even imagine suspecting! While investigating this extraordinary case, Vanzarov is forced to fear even his best friend and partner, the great criminalist Apollon Lebedev. Having unlimited authority from the emperor, Vanzarov is ready to sacrifice everything for justice!