The Shadow of Great Britain

Chapter 831: Chapter 384 Performing Miracles, Scotland Yard’s Genes (6K)_3

Newman heard this, first surprised with wide eyes, but shortly after, his gaze softened.

“Lady, while being a prostitute is certainly sinful, what is more important is that you have recognized your own sins and intend to repent.” In the Bible”, there is Babylon’s great harlot, and there is Mary Magdalene.

Babylon’s great harlot rides the scarlet beast with seven heads and ten horns, dressed in purple and scarlet, holding a golden cup filled with the filthiness of her fornication. She drank the blood of saints and those who testified for Jesus, committing immense sins. But ultimately, she will encounter death and sorrow within a day and be consumed by fire.

Mary Magdalene was also a prostitute. Upon hearing that Jesus was dining with the Pharisees, she bathed and dressed, went to listen to his teachings, and repented. She was possessed by seven devils but was healed by our Lord’s gospel. From then on, she, along with several other women, became the most devoted of our Lord’s followers, supporting Jesus and his disciples with her strength.

When Jesus was taken for judgment, the disciples abandoned him and fled. As the Lord was crucified in an extremely harsh environment, she followed Jesus to the foot of the cross, witnessed his suffering, death, and burial. After Jesus’s death, she entered the tomb to anoint his body with oils but found Jesus resurrected instead. Although a prostitute among the followers, she was the most humble, yet she grasped the essence the most.

Lady, you need not feel inferior because of this. If you have any sins, you can confess them to me. In this world, there is no one who is a perfect person or a righteous man. Although confession does not mean your sins can be entirely wiped away, it represents your willingness to acknowledge your mistakes and courageously bear their consequences. For our merciful Lord, that is already sufficient.”

Upon hearing this, Fiona couldn’t stop the tears streaming down her face.

Painting a makeup delicately may require a whole night.

But to destroy it, only takes a few seconds.

“I… I confess to you, as long as, as long as you let me go inside to see him.”

…

Hidden in the shrubbery, Louis sighed at the scene: “It’s Miss Fiona. I saw it coming long ago, her heart wasn’t at ease, knowing the news would undoubtedly bring sadness.”

Great Dumas felt as if something was blocking his chest: “I must say, I still hate priests. But if he can make some people feel better here, I won’t actively chase him away.”

Dickens pressed down on Great Dumas’s shoulder and said: “You should treat your wife better. I think Miss Labé loves you quite a lot. By the way, and your son, Alexander. I have to say, you are a lucky fat man.”

Great Dumas originally wanted to retort a few words, but seeing the eyes of Louis and Dickens beside him, he finally suppressed his emotions, took a deep breath, and said: “Don’t just talk about me, you two are the same.”

The three of them pushed and shoved each other out of the bushes and returned to the road. Just when they wanted to go back to the church, they found several exquisitely dressed armed attendants had appeared there at some unknown time.

These arrogant attendants were startled when they saw three disheveled guys suddenly jump out, and they questioned: “You few, what are you doing?”

Great Dumas was already in a bad mood, and being questioned at this time, he almost responded with a curse in French.

Fortunately, Louis stopped him, and this member of the Bonaparte Family replied politely: “Gentlemen, a friend of ours is lying in the church, and we want to go back to see him.”

Upon hearing this, the attendants slightly calmed their intense attitude, took off their hats, and apologized: “Sorry, gentlemen, our actions just now may have been too rude. We understand your sadness over Officer Hastings’s situation. However, if you want to enter, please wait a moment longer as His Majesty the King and the Duke of Wellington are currently inside.”

…

King William IV and the Duke of Wellington stood in the chapel’s prayer hall, gazing at the exquisite religious art on the surrounding walls, finally fixing their eyes on the coffin placed in the center of the hall.

As the youngest graduate in the history of the Royal Academy of Arts and a renowned painter in Europe, William Turner could not fail to recognize the two of them. He was about to stand up and pay his respects, but saw King William IV raise his hand slightly, signaling him to sit down.

Turner understood his meaning. Clearly, His Majesty the King did not want to interrupt his work and was happy to see a portrait commemorating Officer Hastings.

King William IV stood beside the coffin, looking at Arthur’s face. Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed the officer’s sword he had bestowed upon Arthur. The over-sixty-year-old Sailor King couldn’t help but shake his head and said.

“Such a young lad, still in his prime. When I was his age, I was following Nelson in the West Indies of North America. Those were the happiest days of my life. When I bestowed this sword upon him, I wanted to inspire him to do well. After all, there was no other young man in London who could duel with Foil Napoleon as evenly matched.”

Speaking of this, King William IV noticed the scar at the corner of Arthur’s eye. “Was that left in Liverpool?”

The Duke of Wellington, standing nearby, placed his hand on his sword and pressed his lips together slightly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. He has two scars: one at the corner of his eye and one on his chest. One represents London, and the other represents Liverpool. Of course, you could also say that both of these scars were left for Britain. This young man was very receptive to advice and very respectful of others’ opinions. I told him that no matter what happened, an excellent police commander must be worthy of the honor bestowed upon him by you and this country. Then, he really did just that.”

Upon hearing this, King William IV couldn’t help but sigh, “Wellington, I have lost an outstanding pillar of the state. Though he may not yet be worthy of such high praise, if he had lived, he would have been. Even though he is not very old, and his features do not resemble him, I can’t help but feel that as he lies there, it seems like it is Nelson lying there.”

The Duke of Wellington slightly bowed his head and said, “In a way, he does indeed bear some resemblance to Lord Nelson in temperament. They were both very approachable, able to close the distance between distant people with just a few words. Unlike me, with little affinity.”

King William IV shook his head and said, “No, Wellington, he is also very much like you. Or rather, you people have your similarities. Alas! Damn the Home Office, they should have reported the situation to me earlier. Do they think I would abandon a loyal subject for some irrelevant protocol? Wellington, I must commend you. If you had not frankly explained the situation to me that night, I would not have known that Arthur Hastings was so brave. Rowan was right, he was a valiant officer of Scotland Yard and certainly deserving of knighthood. If not for a bunch of messy regulations, I feel I should have bestowed more medals upon him.”

Looking at Arthur in the coffin, the Duke of Wellington softly replied, “Your Majesty, I understand your feelings and agree with your view. However, given the current situation, a Junior Knight is the limit. Officer Hastings sacrificed his life for the stability of the country. The best way to honor this young man is not to let his efforts go to waste. If these titular accolades once again stir up public opinion, his blood will have been shed in vain.”

Upon hearing this, King William IV breathed in and out several times, finally exhaling the frustration in his chest. “You’re right, Wellington. I am no longer an uncared-for young sailor but the king of this country. I must look at the bigger picture, damn the bigger picture! But, no matter what, a Junior Knight is far from enough for this young man.”

Hearing this, Wellington stared at Arthur’s police uniform, then suddenly said, “In that case, would you consider granting Scotland Yard the ‘Royal’ title? I believe this would be the best solution under the circumstances, and most importantly, it is an honor the public can accept.”

King William IV’s eyes brightened. He couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the Duke of Wellington. “Indeed, I will confer upon them the ‘Royal’ title!”

The Duke of Wellington nodded slightly and asked, “When and where? I will have someone prepare the draft of the specific plan.”

King William IV glanced at Arthur’s serene face and the court sword bestowed by him, unable to stop recalling the image of the Whig Party forcing the court.

In an instant, rage filled his chest. If Prime Minister Count Grey were here, he would have wanted to punch him in the face.

The Sailor King, irritated, waved his cape and said in a low voice, “I have decided, at Officer Hastings’ funeral! If those Whigs think the time and place I chose are inappropriate, they can initiate a Cabinet resignation as a form of resistance, just like before!”