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

London, Kensington District, a coffee shop at the corner of Oxford Street.


The drizzle draped a thin mist over the windows of the cafe. Arthur stirred his white porcelain cup with a spoon, and with each stir, the creamy milk gradually merged into the pure black coffee, blending the flavors along with the melting sugar cubes.


Sitting across from him, on a chair, there sat a blonde lady dressed in a light green pleated skirt and wearing a wide-fashionable hat as deep as the night.


Needless to say, she was none other than Fiona Ivan, one of the most capable women in all of London.


Fiona watched Arthur leisurely stir his coffee cup, and after a long time without him speaking, she picked up her teacup somewhat discontentedly and said, "Previously when I met you, I could at least expect a few harmless compliments. Why is it that the longer we know each other, the fewer compliments I receive? Mr. Hastings, have I displeased you in some way?"


Chapter 233 Crime Den (5K)