About 10 years have passed since the return of the true Lord Valentine to the throne, and, of course, new problems have begun. Metamorphs, who have not succeeded in trying to replace the human masters of Majipur, begin a new stage of the struggle for the return of power over the planet. Agricultural crops of people are subjected to a massive attack by the causative agents of numerous and diverse plant diseases that with so many people living on Majipur, will inevitably and quite quickly lead to starvation. In the cities, rumors are beginning to spread about the illegality of the reign of Crown Valentine and the imminent return of the “old gods” the great sea dragons. Cities on the Zimroel rebel against Valentine and either declare themselves independent or nominate their own pretenders to the throne. Human civilization on Majipur is on the verge of collapse...