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

Upon hearing this, Martin was startled at first, then bleated with delight, "Mr. Hastings, I can't believe you would trouble yourself over such a trifle. How on earth can I thank you? Damn! It truly is an incomparable honor to be friends with you. What would you like to eat today? I'll head to the kitchen right now and get it ready for you."


Having said this, Martin couldn't help raising his voice as he shouted towards the kitchen, "Annie! Annie! Mr. Hastings is here—get the grape pudding and tomato meat pie ready, his favorite dishes!"


Martin yelled for a long while but received no response, prompting him to slap his forehead and mutter under his breath, "That lass must be slacking off again, probably got distracted delivering wine to Pennies house. Mr. Hastings, please don't worry, I'll go there and drag her out."


Chapter 249: Marvelous Journey (5K4)_2