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

At dusk, outside the row houses on the outskirts of London, Inspector Clemens, with scabs on his right cheek, stood in the drizzle, holding a gift in front of the ornate iron gate.


Although this was not his first time at this location, it was the first time he felt so nervous.


He flashed a compensatory smile at the gatekeeper and said, "Do you remember me?"


The servant scrutinized him carefully and nodded with a smile, "Of course, Inspector Clemens. Are you passing by today, or have you come specifically to visit Viscount? I recall the Viscount did not inform me of your visit today."


Clemens forced a smile, then pulled out his wallet from his pocket and handed over both a banknote and the gift.


"I know Viscount Palmeston is always busy, but please inform him now that I have an urgent matter to discuss with him."


The servant accepted the gift and tucked the banknote into his pocket, giving a slight nod, "Please wait a moment."


Chapter 80 What Else Do You Gain?