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, Bayswater district, 36 Lancaster Gate.


Arthur, holding a cup of tea in his left hand and cradling a thick, archaic tome with yellowed pages in his right, was completely engrossed in his reading.


Perhaps because he was so absorbed, Arthur had no idea how much time had passed, maintaining his pose until the steam from the teacup had dissipated without him taking a single sip.


Arthur frowned as he gulped down a mouthful of the cold tea, then placed the porcelain cup down and looked up at the ceiling as if pondering something.


The Red Devil, who was enjoying reading fan letters, couldn't help but adjust his glasses upon seeing Arthur's expression, "What's the matter with you? Did you eat something wrong at lunch? Constipated? If that's the case, I suggest you use the intestinal treatment device advertised in the newspapers, I left the tube next to the kitchen."


Chapter 242: Reed-Style Sword Technique (4K4)