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

Arthur turned his head to see Lionel and Mendelssohn standing behind him, and immediately picked up the white gloves on the piano rack as he smiled and went up to greet them.


"I didn't expect to be so lucky to see you here, Lionel," he said.


Lionel joked, "Although I may not be truly devoted to art collection, when it comes to music, I'm a sincere admirer. Not to mention this concert has gathered so many top pianists; if I missed such an event, I fear I wouldn't have the face to claim I love music."


As he spoke, Lionel introduced Mendelssohn, who was beside him: "This is Mr. Felix Mendelssohn, as young as you and possessing talents that ordinary people can't reach. You must have heard the overture he wrote for Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream,' right?"


As Arthur dared to come to the Coburg Theatre today to test pianos, he had obviously done his background research on the musicians who might attend.


Chapter 182: On and Off Stage, It's All About Musicals (4K6)