It began in a dreamy courtyard in Venice and ended in bloody power struggles at the border between Siberia and Manchuria. After the October Revolution of 1918, an entire region of the world was in turmoil. Additionally, the legendary Tsar's treasure was said to be traveling through the Siberian steppes in an armored train. Corto Maltese had been persuaded by Rasputin and the secret society of the Red Lanterns to participate in a raid on this very gold train. And this time, he is not just a mocking observer, but finds himself caught in the crossfire...