Summer of the fourteenth year—the eve of the First World War. All the participants in the coming slaughter are sure the war will be swift and victorious—exclusively for their side. So they joyfully dig the grave where millions of the dead will lie. But at the same time, without realizing it, they build a gallows for themselves. Warnings from certain smart people drown in the schizophrenic noise of politicians and the furious roar of crowds. Now only one thing remains: shots in Sarajevo—and in Europe, a bloody dance will begin to spin. And at this critical moment, a force from outside this world intervenes in local history. The autocratic Grand Duke Artansky throws his sword into the balance of world politics—an admirer of rapid, crushing blows and final victories, the one who answers for his deeds exclusively before the Almighty. A little time will pass—and the world will understand that nothing, ever again, will be the same as it was before…