He placed the dark-red cylindrical steel pen and took the sheet of paper inscribed with the divination phrases, leaning back against the chair. His lips moved softly, murmuring "The time for dinner today at Carp," over and over again. The words spread layer by layer across the quiet, expansive gray mist, deepening the color of his eyes and gradually lowering his eyelids. In the fragmented dreams, he saw the spacious and elegant dining room, the ceramic tableware inlaid with gold, the dishes—caviar, roasted duck, stewed lamb, seared beef eye, fried dragon bone fish, and creamy soup—arranged in a certain sequence and according to specific needs before the diners. Among them were Carp, slightly overweight; Heras, a middle-aged gentleman wearing a white headband; Kati, dressed only in a thin shirt; and Parker, whose aged features lacked any sense of authority. Looking diagonally from the back of the dining table, one can spot a beautifully decorated glass window, beyond which the sky is clear and a red moon faintly visible in the upper sky. Cain opened his eyes, marked the position of the moon from his dream, and then, based on established astrological principles, quickly calculated the corresponding approximate time. "Around 7:30 to 7:45... considering that in several scenes, Cardin and the others have already eaten more than half their meal, we can adjust it back by another 15 minutes. Therefore, 7:30 is a more suitable choice," Cain murmured, interpreting the insights offered by the "dream divination." Having dinner at 7:30 is no uncommon occurrence—it's even the norm in the Kingdom of Roon and across the northern continent. Many middle-class families, either due to environmental concerns or simply because of affordable rent, have moved to the suburbs, commuting daily by short-distance steam trains to the city center. By the time they return home, it's often past 7:00 PM, making dinner between 7:30 and 8:00 a natural routine. Klein experienced this during his time in Tinggen, though back then, it wasn't because of distance from work—it was due to the absence of servants and a full-time housewife, with the three siblings having to prepare meals themselves before enjoying hot food. This explains why ordinary and lower-income families typically dine at 7:30 to 8:00. As a result of the growing gap between lunch and dinner, afternoon tea—a tradition once reserved for the upper classes—has gradually become popular among the middle and working classes. The interpretation was complete. Caine reflected on the insights he had just received and immediately noticed a question: Where were Captain Karpin's wife and children? They had not appeared in the restaurant at all. Was Karpin an extreme devotee of the Storm Sovereign, requiring his wife and children to dine in the sitting room? Or was there some other reason? Or perhaps Karpin had never married, had no children? He was well into middle age, after all. Caine attempted a divination, but received no clear guidance and therefore abandoned the effort. "Seven thirty," he repeated the time point, then returned to the present. ... ... By late afternoon, Captain Karpin, still wearing his formal necktie at home, blinked slowly at his subordinates, speaking with a measured pace that was deeply unsettling. "Did Fabian die?" "Yes, sir," the subordinate replied, even though he had been Karpin's trusted companion for many years, and now felt both afraid and shaken. "Odys, call him 'Mr. Karpin,' 'Mr. Karpin.' In a few years, you'll have to call him 'Sir.'" "Capin adjusted his tie, handling the large cigar with an air of casual ease," said, "When and how did Fabian die?" "If it can't be done, I'll sink your wife, your children, and you yourself into the Tassok River." "Mr. Odes, no problem!" Odes immediately raised his voice. Then, he whispered softly, "Who can I assemble?" Just as Capin was about to respond, the door suddenly swung open, and the middle-aged gentleman Heralas, wearing a white hairband, entered. He glanced coldly at Odes, then turned his gaze to Capin. "I heard you've had a conflict with some of your people in the East District and even lost several of them?" "Yes, Mr. Heralas," Capin said, standing up with his cigar in hand. Heralas fixed his eyes on Capin. "Do you wish to retaliate against them?" Capin's forehead suddenly glistened with beads of sweat. "No, not at all, Mr. Heralas, I'm mistaken." Heralas nodded slightly. "You must remember, during critical periods, we try to avoid conflict unless absolutely necessary." He paused for a moment, observing Carpín's reaction and said: "Carpín, the human trafficking operations in Beckett aren't limited to you—we can support you or someone else. Just keep that in mind. We selected you not because you're already the largest player, but because you're both ruthless and unprincipled, yet remarkably cautious." Odys stood by, listening to the exchange, wishing fervently that he were just a mere gust of air so he wouldn't have to witness Carpín's elder's humble demeanor. Carpín remained composed, smiling politely: "Mr. Héras, my primary concern is that Fabian's death wasn't ordinary—it might disrupt your plans." "No, Fabian's death is entirely satisfactory," Héras replied with confidence. "I've received no feedback on the matter." "Oh, that's reassuring," Carpín said, appearing relieved. "Then I'm at ease." He glanced at Odysseus, gestured for him to leave, then spoke in a low voice: "Mr. Heralds, this shipment includes types you'll appreciate." Seeing Heralds' expression soften but still offering no response, Kapin quickly added, "The ones delivered to that side are now complete." Heralds then slowly nodded: "Have her come to my room in the evening." "Yes, Mr. Heralds!" Kapin beamed with genuine enthusiasm. After watching Heralds depart, his expression darkened instantly. He took a deep breath and murmured, "I hope you'll honor your promise this time... I don't want to be involved in anything like this anymore!" He clearly remembered the harvest festival that year, when someone had approached him, seeking a group of genuine, innocent young women. From that day on, his life had undergone a dramatic transformation—his share of the underground slave trade, which had been legally prohibited, had grown to one-fifth of the entire trade. He quickly became one of Beckland's more prominent wealthy figures, meeting many influential people and drawing them into the depths of his decline. By now, he was eager to conceal his past sins and to have "Kapin" once again undergo a renewal, becoming a true member of the upper echelons of society—though, for the moment, he could not yet achieve this. Glancing at the cigar in his hand, Kapin picked up the photograph on the table, which featured him with a beautiful woman and their two children. With his thumb gently tracing the surface of the frame, he narrowed his eyes and murmured softly, "From now on, you should all be able to return..." Kapin knew her to be silent and fierce, making no fuss, and simply watched as she settled into her own seat. Then, Heralis, wearing a white headband, entered the restaurant and gave a gentle nod to each diner. Parker, looking somewhat aged, took a sip of the aperitif and smiled, indicating to Kapin that she should sit down. A white napkin was laid out, and the dishes were served one after another. Kapin raised her glass and smiled lightly, saying, "To a bright future, let us toast." "To a bright future," Parker replied. Heralis said nothing, merely holding her glass at a slight elevation with the stem, while Kaiti paid them no attention at all. At that moment, the classical clock above the hall had just reached 7:23. ........ In the Beckland Bridge district, within a budget hotel, Klein, having disguised himself, pulled out his gold-case pocket watch, checked the exact time, and then produced the Saint's Night powder, sealing the room with the Wall of Spirit. Having completed all this, he swiftly arranged the altar and began the ritual: "I!" "I summon by my name:" "The fool of a time unbound, the enigmatic sovereign above the gray mist, the King of Luck in yellow and black." ... Once the ritual was complete, Caine immediately stepped backward four paces, entering the gray mist to respond to himself. Within that lofty and solemn palace, he saw the ripple patterns coalescing into the "Gate of Summoning"—a shimmering, ethereal door adorned with mysterious symbols, facing him directly. Caine did not immediately accept the summoning, but instead, as per his plan, incorporated the magical items, such as the "Solar Brooch," into his own spiritual essence. Finally, he took the "Black Emperor" card and enveloped it within his spiritual body. In an instant, Caine felt his spiritual form solidify, as if it now possessed flesh and blood—seeming capable of grasping a pistol or moving tables and chairs! A thick, ethereal mist swirled around him, clinging to the surface and forming a regal armor. A dark crown appeared atop his head, and a long, matching cloak flowed behind him. At this moment, Caine resembled an emperor about to embark on a grand journey—the Black Emperor. He last glanced at the purification bullets and the revolver he had left behind, then took a single step into the fissure of the shimmering gate. After leaping out from the candlelight, he swiftly flew through the night, heading toward the Carpington Villa on Aries Street in the Joewood district. Not long after, he drifted before an artificial fountain, approaching the villa's entrance at a steady pace. The guards patrolling back and forth passed by him without noticing, as it was still early evening and no extraordinary beings were on high alert outside. Moreover, Caine did not fear that the powerful extraordinary beings within would sense his presence or anticipate his arrival. Because the "Black Emperor" defies prophecy and divination!