The Shadow of Great Britain

67: Chapter 28: Darkness and Light 67: Chapter 28: Darkness and Light The rain outside the window trickled down incessantly.

It had rained all night in London, and by dawn, it showed no sign of stopping.

On the window glass of Arthur’s residence, traces where the rain had clung were everywhere.

Agares sat by the window, looking at the sun struggling to rise through the gaps in the dark clouds, and he simply took a deep breath.

In his hand, he held a small piece of paper, which was the address of the gas research institute that Faraday had given to Arthur yesterday.

Faraday’s words seemed to echo in the Red Devil’s ears.

“The Gas Research Institute was originally established in Clifton.

After the establishment of King’s College in 1828, it was merged into the affiliated teaching hospital of King’s College, St.

Thomas Hospital.

Its address is located at 10 Bessimer Road in the Southwark District, on the south bank of the Thames River.”

The raindrops on the windowsill tapped steadily, as Agares’s fingers danced to the rhythm, tapping the edge of the window frame, their combined sounds merging as if playing a symphony whose name was unknown and whose tune held no joy.

He slowly closed his eyes, humming a lullaby filled with magical melodies that swirled around every corner of the room, as if wishing for the whole world to fall into an undisturbed tranquility with this song.

The rain outside intensified, while Agares’s singing gradually grew softer.

He opened his eyes and suddenly realized that Arthur, unbeknownst to him, had gotten out of bed and was sitting quietly at the desk by the window, staring at the rain that was almost turning London into a vast sea.

‘Up so early?’ Agares muttered, ‘That shouldn’t be, my song…’

‘I never slept at all,’ Arthur said, holding a cold teacup, ‘You were buzzing like a mosquito all night long.

Anyone would have had trouble sleeping.’

‘Is that so?’ Agares gave an embarrassed smile, ‘I thought you were asleep.

You haven’t closed your eyes all night, why not go back to bed and lie down for a while?

I’ll wake you when it’s time, the sun isn’t even up yet.’

‘No need.’

Arthur rubbed his sore shoulders, ‘As soon as I lay down, I kept thinking, can the gas research institute that Mr.

Faraday recommended really cure Robin?

Although it might be the best research facility for treating lung disease in all of Great Britain, I still feel uneasy.

After all, you’ve said before that Robin’s illness is not easy to cure, and even you, a supernatural Devil, seem out of options.

Can the Gas Research Institute really come up with a viable treatment plan?’

At this, Agares leaned back against the window sill, laughing heartily.

‘Yes, that little girl’s illness is indeed troublesome.

But it’s not that even Devils are without recourse; at least I, as a Devil, originally had a way.

It’s just that I can’t use that method because of some special reasons.’

‘Special reasons?’ Arthur frowned at Agares, ‘What special reasons?

You’re not planning on inciting me to murder and steal souls, are you?’

‘No, no, no.’ Agares disdainfully shook his finger, ‘Arthur, if I wanted to incite you to kill, I wouldn’t use such a method.

The souls of ordinary people, to me, are not particularly exhilarating.

Just like in this world, as people are ranked, so are souls by their bitterness and sweetness.

You shouldn’t always think the worst of me.

If I were merely after immediate gains, I wouldn’t have waited for someone like you to make a pact.’

Arthur glanced at him, ‘Are you playing the long game to catch a big fish?’

Agares smiled, ‘Exactly!

The bigger the fish, the richer its experience, the better it is at hiding, and the harder it is to catch.

The longer the line, the closer it gets to the center of the pond, the more hidden it becomes, and the easier it is for the big fish to bite.’

‘But you still haven’t told me why you can’t save Robin.’

‘Why?’

Agares’s words were enigmatic, ‘Because this is ultimately a human world.

If a soul ends up in the hands of a Devil, it’s surely because there was a deal with the Devil.

If a soul is redeemed, that too is because of human intervention.

Arthur, you should know, it’s easy to kill someone, but difficult to save them.

This has been an immutable truth since the time of King Solomon, a strict rule.’

Arthur, holding his teacup, looked at him, ‘So are you telling me to trust in science?

A Devil, urging me to believe in science, while the desperately struggling dead can only hope for God.

This world is indeed absurd.’

In the past, Agares would definitely have jumped up from the windowsill in anger upon hearing such words, but for some reason today, he was uncharacteristically calm.

The Red Devil opened the window, letting the cold wind pour in, dousing Arthur’s pajamas with icy rainwater, causing him to curse aloud.

“Agares, what have I done to offend you today?

Close the window!

Even though it’s already June, it still feels unreasonably cold when it rains in the morning.

You know what this damned London weather is like!”

But Agares, as if he hadn’t heard Arthur’s words, inexplicably began to speak.

“Arthur, do you know?

Being God isn’t as comfortable as you mortals think.

God doesn’t always reside in Heaven; he even has his own Hell.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing, I’m saying with the rain like this today, how can we even go to the gas research institute?

The roads are all flooded, and everywhere is covered in mud.

Didn’t you just buy a pair of boots?

Those brand new, beautiful, spotless riding boots.

I guarantee, if you dare to go out today, those boots of yours will definitely be ruined beyond recognition.

Trust me, don’t go out today.

Don’t go anywhere, just sit in the police station office, let’s drink some tea and read the newspaper.

At noon, why not meet up with that offbeat friend of yours and Darwin, and we can have a good discussion about the monkey issue…

Forget about the missing cases at Scotland Yard, just get through this period safely and steadily, and you’ll soon be promoted again.

After that, we can gradually climb to higher places.

There, there are countless Souls, endless beauties, wealth, status, power, everything you want is there.”

Upon hearing this, Arthur’s eyebrows knitted tightly, his back gradually straightened, and his tone of voice became harsh.

“Agares.”

The Red Devil’s fingers interlocked, his eyes darting around: “What’s your question?”

“I’m posing a question, and you’re not even asking for my Soul, which is definitely not like you.

What are you hiding from me?”

“Arthur!” the Red Devil suddenly shouted angrily, “I’ve told you, there are things you’re better off not knowing!

You don’t have the capacity to know them!”

Arthur took a deep breath, snatched a piece of paper from Agares’s hands, the address was clutched so tightly in his hand as if it were engraved on his palm.

Arthur’s eyes were fixed on the Red Devil, and after a dead silence, he seemed to have realized something.

Taking a deep breath, he put on his uniform, donned his gloves, and hesitated for a moment before grabbing the police saber hanging by the bed.

Seeing this, Agares quickly spoke out to stop him: “Arthur, you can’t go anywhere today!”

Arthur turned to look at the Red Devil, his face utterly expressionless.

“Agares, it’s understandable and not frightening that children fear the dark.

Do you know what the most terrifying thing in the world is?

It’s adults fearing the light.”

With that, he left behind a furious Red Devil, opened the door, and, wearing his boots, he descended the stairs with heavy steps.

Seeing this, the Red Devil was consumed by rage.

He shouted loudly: “Arthur, you won’t be able to handle it, you idiot!”