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

Early in the morning, the carriage wheels splashed through the streets of Westminster.


Standing at the foggy and drizzly corner of Whitehall, Arthur could look up and see countless gentlemen and ladies walking with their umbrellas along the road.


He breathed out a white mist, took off his gloves, and was about to push open the door of the Greater London Police Department, but before he could step inside, he heard a familiar voice behind him.


Arthur turned around, standing behind him was an elderly gentleman, wearing leather gloves, holding a black umbrella, and looking robust and energetic.


Arthur looked at the old gentleman with flecks of white at his temples and couldn't help but smile, "Sir, finishing work so early today?"


"Not finishing early. I've retired," the Magistrate laughed heartily. "Congratulations to me, Arthur, I've finally said goodbye to that damned court and can now enjoy life in the countryside with my retirement pension."


Chapter 148: Blue-skinned Beast