Chasing Time

“Next, we have the most noble recipient of the Order of the Garter, the Grand Cross of Saint Michael and Saint George, the Grand Cross of the Bath, the Victoria Cross and the lower grades of Knighthood, the leader of the anti-colonial movement, the bell-ringer of the East India Company, the hero of the Crimean War, a Fellow of the Royal Society, a lifelong dear friend of literary giants such as Dickens and Great Dumas, a steadfast supporter of scientific luminaries like Faraday and Darwin, having served as assistant under-secretary, deputy under-secretary, and permanent under-secretary in departments of the Home Office and the Navy Department of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the inaugural Cabinet Secretary and head of the civil service, the first graduate and most distinguished alumnus of our school. Please welcome Sir Arthur Hastings to deliver a speech on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the University of London.”
Arthur's gaze swept across the crowd before him, looking at the young faces and murmured, “Agares, what do you think I should say?”
The Red Devil's wraith hovered behind him, saliva almost dribbling from the corner of his mouth, “Look at these ignorant souls; they still worship you as a hero. Why not say something they'd like to hear?”
Arthur took a deep breath and let out a deafening roar, “Oxford is a bunch of whores' bastards!”
“Oh!!!!”
The audience erupted into thunderous applause.
“Cambridge is the same!” he added immediately.
The applause grew even more fervent...
(The protagonist, possessed by a devil, travels through 19th-century Britain in a world without magic)

The Shadow of Great Britain

The gang leader raised his hands and knelt on the ground.


He wanted to show Arthur that he meant no disrespect, but with the barrel of a gun in his mouth, he dared not utter a word and could only nod slightly to show his respect.


Seeing his submission, Arthur then pulled the gun out of his mouth.


However, as he had just withdrawn the gun, he felt something press against his back.


From behind him came Fiona's angry, slightly hysterical scream, "You think you're the only one with a gun? I've nearly stripped off, and you've looked me over completely. Can you really walk away without leaving any money?"


Red Devil, seeing this, leaned against the wall and mocked, "Arthur, see, I told you to tie her up tight, but you just wouldn't listen. Now look, she's got your life in her hands."


The gang member exhaled in relief seeing his partner not only escape but also overpower Arthur.


"Fiona, you're really something! We don't even need to come rescue you."


Chapter 58: The Fog Clears