opening of the novel introduces readers to Paul Seebeck aboard the luxurious Lloyd ship "Prinzessin Irene," engaged in a conversation with the ship’s captain about a mysterious cloud on the horizon, which turns out to be a volcanic island. Seebeck's keen sense and curiosity push him to stake a claim on the island for himself and the German Empire, despite the challenges of maintaining secrecy. He resolves to remain on the island alone, with discussions hinting at ambitions of founding a new state, aiming for fundamental freedoms away from societal constraints. Throughout this part, Mendelssohn sets the stage for an exploration of human ideals, as Seebeck's character begins to shape the narrative towards themes of governance, freedom, and community building. (This is an automatically generated summary.)