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

Guided by a royal attendant, Arthur arrived at the door of the royal box on the third floor.


After handing over his police sword and pistol to the guard at the door, the attendant finally gently knocked on the box door.


The door was opened by Sir George Elliot, a royal naval aide-de-camp who had previously met Arthur at General Cordington's banquet and was Captain of George III's flagship, Victory, at Portsmouth's Royal Naval base.


He smiled and ushered Arthur into the box, bowing as he said, "Your Majesty, Arthur Hastings has arrived as summoned, according to your instructions."


Arthur bowed slightly with his left hand forward and his right hand clasped behind his back, saying, "Your Majesty."


King William IV's cheeks were flushed with drink by this time, but far from making him drowsy or listless, it seemed to invigorate the old sailor even more.


Chapter 265: Meeting with the King