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

Lady Levin blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering: "Perhaps there will be more opportunities in the future. Aren't you going to St. Petersburg soon to serve as the Ambassador to Russia? Before long, I plan to return and see my siblings."


The Earl of Dalmo removed his hat to bid farewell: "Then let us meet again in St. Petersburg, madam, enjoy your evening."


Lady Levin nodded slightly, then lifted her chin gently and approached several friends in Paris.


The Earl of Dalmo watched as Lady Levin walked away, his smile gradually fading, and chatted casually with Arthur beside him: "What do you think of Lady Levin?"


The candid Earl glanced at Arthur and, while puffing on a cigar, curiously asked: "Did you perhaps pursue her and were rejected? That's quite bold, young man."


Chapter 41: The Fluidity of Upper Society_3