Thought Is the Core of Unity

Saint Petersburg—following Alexander II's assassination, the atmosphere throughout the entire city had grown tense.

The military and police were constantly being deployed, hunting down Revolutionary Party members everywhere. The prisons were nearly bursting at the seams, yet the mastermind behind it all had still not surfaced.

Winter Palace. In accordance with Russian Imperial custom, from the moment Alexander II died, Alexandrovich had taken charge as heir to the throne.

Perhaps spurred by his father's assassination, Alexandrovich went to the other extreme and simply shut himself indoors, refusing to leave the house.

Staying home did not interfere with his work. There was no need for the heir to personally hunt down the culprit; plenty of people below were eager to use this opportunity to rise straight to the clouds.

Alexandrovich asked, "Have you found him?"

Police Minister Nicholas Federo answered tremulously, "We found him, but unfortunately, our people arrived a step too late. The suspect was already dead.

On the surface, he committed suicide. But after careful examination, we discovered that the deceased had undergone an intense inner struggle before his death. He was most likely forced to kill himself."

He could not help being nervous. Such a major case had occurred, and as Police Minister, he could not shirk responsibility. Being sent home to farm was not frightening; what was frightening was failing to produce results for too long and being dealt with as a rebel by the new Tsar.

Nothing was impossible. There were far too many suspicious points in Alexander II's assassination. They had to come up with an explanation that could pass muster and give everyone an account.

Politics was cruel. If they truly could not find the real culprit, finding someone to take the blame was hardly impossible.

Everyone knew that Police Minister Nicholas Federo