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

In the office of the Prime Minister's residence, the Duke of Wellington and Sir Peel watched as Arthur, who had received dual endorsement from the Prime Minister and the Home Secretary, stood up to leave.


The Duke of Wellington got up, walked over to the liquor cabinet, and took out a bottle of sherry that was half-empty. He poured a glass for both Sir Peel and himself.


He sipped his wine and, nodding slightly towards Arthur's departing figure, said, "A promising young man, isn't he? Only 20 years old, yet so insightful. It really proves that more university education is not a mistake. If the underfunded and unsupported University of London can produce such talent, I wonder when the orthodox university founded by the King and myself, King's College, will produce such outstanding young individuals."


Chapter 113 Why is it Always Hastings?