The Immortal; Or, One of the "Forty." (L'immortel) - 1877

A meticulous scholar of French history, Léonard Astier‑Réhu has spent his life uncovering the hidden currents that shaped his nation’s past. When his candid remarks about the “flood of demagogy” lead to a sudden dismissal from the prestigious archives, he is thrust from his quiet study into a world where politics, pride, and personal grudges collide. His routine, once defined by the orderly cadence of research and the weekly visits of the noisy floor‑polisher Teyssèdre, is shattered, forcing him to confront the fragile balance between intellectual integrity and the demands of power.

Now stripped of his official position and the comforts of his Quai d’Orsay quarters, Astier‑Réhu must navigate a labyrinth of secret documents and lingering ambitions. As he pieces together forgotten testimonies, the narrative hints at a lingering mystery that could reshape his understanding of history itself—an intrigue that beckons listeners to join his quest for truth before the deeper revelations unfold.