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

Above the English Channel, the Beagle held a favorable upwind position.


Through the lens of his monocular, Colonel Fitzroy was closely observing every move of the opposing vessel.


He saw the gangplank between the two ships being retracted, and immediately after, both vessels hoisted the signal flag indicating their 'willingness to accept a stop for inspection.'


Colonel Fitzroy looked at the two ships, which were nearly identical in size, and for a moment, he could not distinguish which one was the 'Black Thorn' they were looking for.


After a moment's thought, he decided to maintain a safe distance before confirming the identity of the other, following the naval combat precedent.


He commanded, "Lower the dinghies into the sea, send eight marines over for inspection. If something seems amiss, wave the white flag, and we will come to your rescue as quickly as possible."


Chapter 69 The Determination of the Royal Navy