Alexander Lemeshev, a fencing coach and Olympic champion, by chance finds his way into the body of Jean d’Armanjac’s bastard. He receives no support from the followers of his late father, and remains face to face with the French king Louis XI—who is eager for his death and nicknamed the Spider of the World. Jean becomes the commander of a unit of hired shooters calling themselves rutyers, and fights under the banners of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, against the army of Frederick III of Habsburg, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The bastard is ready to win glory and position with his blade in exchange for what the French king stole. He firmly believes that the time will come when the king will answer for all his villainies against the Armanjac family. Meanwhile, the young rutyer has many intrigues, dangers, and of course romantic adventures to face.