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 this point, Arthur asked, "Charles, do you have any particularly lofty ideals?"


Wheatstone thought for a moment and shook his head, "Not at the moment."


Arthur continued, "Are you very self-centered?"


Wheatstone thought again, "I just don't like dealing with people, but saying I'm self-centered is too hurtful."


Arthur pressed on, "Can you be bought with money or women?"


Wheatstone suddenly blushed, "This I... um... perhaps I could consider..."


But before he could finish, Arthur interrupted him, "No, Charles, I understand you well, you can't."


Wheatstone scratched his head awkwardly and stammered, "Arthur, this... really can."


Arthur sternly said, "You'd better think carefully before answering, this time the gun on the table is loaded."


"I..." Wheatstone took a deep breath, "Alright, I can't."


"See." Arthur spread his hands, "Charles, you see, you were coerced."


Wheatstone exclaimed, "With tactics like these, no one would be free from coercion."


Chapter 208: Intelligence Bureau Welfare House (4K8)_3