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

With a powerful swing, a loud 'thwack' filled the air as the leather golf ball soared into the sky and disappeared behind the green.


Lionel shielded his eyes with a hand and peered out, then a smile spread across his face, "Mr. Talleyrand, are you sure this is really your first time playing golf? To have such skill at your first tee-off is quite unbelievable."


Talleyrand casually tossed the club into the air and caught it, then raised an eyebrow smugly and turned to Arthur, "Young man, it's your turn."


Arthur nodded at the words. He first gripped the club to feel the distance from his arm to the tee, then he suddenly swung with great force, but before the club could touch the golf ball, Arthur's arm effortlessly deflated the power.


The golf ball fell to the ground with a plunk, as if it had been toppled by a gentle breeze.


"Ah," Arthur feigned surprise then looked up at Talleyrand, "Slipped."


Chapter 230: Flowers, Swords, Poland, and France (6K4)