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 froze in his chair holding his teacup, the steam from the hot cocoa clouding his face and leaving a fine layer of droplets on his eyelashes.


"Hmm... why does that sound so familiar..."


Arthur set down the teacup and leaned back in the chair, remaining silent for a while before speaking, "Are there more stories like that? I've never been to America, but I had plans to make a living there before, so if you have more of these strange tales, let's hear them. You never know, I might actually go there someday, and these tips could come in handy."


Colt, shocked and pleased, said, "Why would you want to go to America? Of course, it's a very good country. But Mr. Hastings, why would you want to go? Aren't you doing quite well in London? Don't look now, but Americans in the theaters boo everyday, yet American businessmen, once they save a bit, will definitely find a way to come to Europe to acquire a title of nobility."


Chapter 223: American, Be Confident! (4K4)_2