At the start of this volume, the narrative reveals Christophe in a state of introspective calm, reflecting on his artistic journey and the weight of his past accomplishments. He feels a disconnect between his once-passionate creative drive and the tranquility he now experiences, which leads him to question the meaning and purpose of his work. The storyline also introduces Olivier, a friend who, after a transformative experience with poverty and despair surrounding their neighbors, begins to engage more deeply with social issues, igniting conversations about responsibility and the power of art as a means of comfort and change. Their contrasting attitudes towards life and art create a dynamic exploration of personal and social evolution amidst the compelling backdrop of early 20th-century European society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)