336: Chapter 209: Caught Something (5K2) 336: Chapter 209: Caught Something (5K2) London, Bayswater, Lancaster Gate 36.
Arthur sat at home, two machines beside him, one a wire recorder currently playing back a recording, the other, a gramophone for engraving records.
The Red Devil stood behind Arthur, its snow-white fangs stained with crimson flesh coming close to his ear as it gently licked its tongue, nearly dripping saliva onto Arthur’s gleaming epaulettes.
“Arthur, what are you worried about?
Wouldn’t it be better to take this recording directly to Parliament?
Why do you need so many backups with the gramophone?
You should know that with this recording, the Whig Party can completely defeat the Tory Party in public opinion.
As their effective assistant, you are bound to be rewarded.
Having climbed to this position, don’t you want to reach even higher and see the most captivating views?”
Arthur glanced at him, merely adjusting his gloves that had gotten too much wax from the records: “Agares, is walking down a dark path your suggestion?
Or perhaps, you’re doing this on purpose.
Had you reserved any way out for yourself in Heaven, you wouldn’t be wandering in the Mortal World after being driven out of Hell by Baal, playing games and amusing yourself with me.”
Agares didn’t get angry at these words; he just put his hands together and smiled, “Don’t be so bitter, Arthur.
I’m doing this for your benefit.
Why would you pass up such great credit?”
Upon hearing this, Arthur simply picked up his teacup and took a sip: “For my benefit, I haven’t heard such a familiar phrase in a long time.
So thank you for your kindness, Agares, but as you know, humans are contrary by nature.
I must respectfully decline your goodwill.”
Agares asked, “Oh, my dear Arthur, what kind of talk is this?
Where are your ideals, your faith?
After experiencing so many things, are you still uninterested in climbing to the slippery top of the Great Britain political ladder?”
Arthur, hearing this, just smiled: “Agares, everyone has ideals and faith.
But if, as you say, I one day reach the slippery top of that pole, I certainly won’t sacrifice myself for so-called faith.”
The Red Devil pinched his chin, questioning, “Why is that?”
Arthur set down his teacup, “Simple, because I fear I might be wrong.
I’m not interested in running experiments on the entire populace of Great Britain.
Haven’t we discussed this before?
The most I’d do is become a king, not God.
But everyone knows, kings can make mistakes, only God can be absolutely right.
I’m not God, so I can’t always be correct, hence I won’t do experiments.
And if someone must conduct experiments, better they don’t happen under my watch.
That’s why I arrested those doctors who used corpses without consent.
They didn’t seek permission from the deceased before their experiments.”
The Red Devil, upon hearing this, just smirked and raised an eyebrow, “Aren’t you fond of philosophy?
Then you must know that Germany has someone named Hegel.
Are you demonstrating against his saying ‘fearing error is essentially fearing truth’?”
Arthur, hearing this, just helplessly shook his head: “I respect Mr.
Hegel very much and wish him a long life.
It’s only then he could see for himself what truths eventually emerge from German soil—and I bet they will be quite a surprise.
But maybe he’d like those truths, who knows?
After all, when young, he worshiped God; matured, he began to worship the state.
Can Germans not survive without something to idolize?
Why doesn’t he compile a ‘National Bible’ with some religion stories like in the ‘Bible’—where it’s full of love, peace, beauty, and bliss, without any pain or troubles, with lots of beautiful flowers and fragrant trees, and an expansive meadow.
There, there is no disease, poverty, or even sight of pain, nor sounds of crying.
In the center of Heaven City’s golden streets, there’s a tree of life bearing rich fruits all year round, its leaves can heal nations without seeking any cure for the diseases; every disease can be cured.
And why not demolish all German churches to make a national church while they’re at it?
That seems quite fitting.
The only issue now is, I wonder if God would mind another deity named ‘Rational State’ competing for business.
Oh, and certainly, you Devils must not mind.”
The Red Devil, covering his mouth, chuckled evilly: “Oh!
Arthur, such strong hostility!
But why do you hold such animosity towards him?”
Instead of answering directly, Arthur counter-questioned: “You’re a Devil, so you must know better than I do. Read full story at n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
I’ve wanted to ask you for a long time; if one suffers faithfully in the Mortal World, will they go to Heaven after death?”
Agares, upon hearing this, merely smiled broadly, neither confirming nor denying.
Arthur went on to ask, “Then if one commits many evils in the Mortal World, will they go to Hell after death?”
Agares continued to smile silently.
Seeing his expression, Arthur just held up his teacup and smirked: “I thought so, which makes me wonder, why set up these bloated bureaucratic institutions of Heaven and Hell at all?
I now seriously suspect you were cut out of Baal’s staffing, you were something like an auxiliary officer at Scotland Yard before, right?”