Vladimir Konsinov, nicknamed Vok, a fencing athlete, finds himself faced with the question of how to live on. Suddenly, an alien octopus, similar to a huge stuffed toy, contacts him. He invites Vok to go to another planet, to the Middle Ages, where he becomes an observer, a spy, to help octopuses figure out whether it is worth making contact with the civilization there. Wok agrees - and plunges into the life of an alien planet, where he calls himself Count de la Costa, tries to apply his professional skills, as well as scraps of knowledge that every modern person brings with him.