Although Reivan kidnapped Hector, the "victim" came along willingly after changing into some fresh clothes — albeit very confused about everything — so it just became another friendly outing.

"Why are we going to Starwater City, though?" Hector asked as he followed a disguised Reivan into a hidden facility. "And we're even taking a portal too...Is it really okay to be using such an important facility to save a couple of hours...?"

"It's more convenient than using an airship since our destination's farther this time. If we went the usual way, we wouldn't make it in time for my dinner appointment. The place's at the southeastern edge of the country after all."

"Well, that's true." Hector nodded, accepting the explanation. "Sure is nice being able to use portals whenever you want."

Reivan chuckled. "Perks of being royalty. Get used to it."

"You didn't answer my first question though."

"That was on purpose. Stop asking."

"Oh, c'mon..."

Hector pestered him all throughout the short journey to Starwater City — Aizen's most opulent city.

----------------------------------------

As the evening sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with hues of crimson and gold, the moon emerged from its celestial slumber, casting a radiant glow over Starwater City. The city, with its high buildings that seemingly wanted to scrape the clouds from the sky, stood as a testament to luxury and grandeur, a dazzling jewel of prosperity.

Wide water canals meandered through the city's heart, glistening under the moon's watchful eye. Gondolas and boats glided gracefully along the waterways, ferrying the affluent residents and visitors alike to their luxurious destinations. The sound of laughter and gentle splashes filled the air as the city's elite indulged in leisurely rides, savoring the breathtaking sights.

Tall buildings of intricate design and exquisite craftsmanship graced the skyline, their towering spires seeming to reach out and touch the stars. The moonlight danced on the polished surfaces of these architectural marvels, creating an ethereal glow that bathed the city in a soft luminescence. Elaborate facades adorned with gilded carvings and frescoes adorned the opulent structures, each an ode to the city's affluent inhabitants.

As the moon ascended higher into the night sky, the city remained vibrant with activity. Elegant carriages, drawn by majestic steeds, traversed the cobbled streets, carrying the wealthy men and women in resplendent attire. Lavish parties unfolded in the courtyards of magnificent mansions, accompanied by the enchanting melodies of musicians, and the clinking of fine crystal and silverware.

In Starwater City, wealth seemed to permeate every corner and every soul.

'I can already feel it. My wallet is crying...'

Reivan was of the opinion that if Starwater City was the first place an otherworlder saw when they got trucked to this world, they wouldn't have thought they were isekai'd at all — just that they woke up in a city that tried to look like a mix between Venice, Las Vegas, and Dubai.

Of course, they'd soon notice that the clothes people on the streets were wearing didn't match the modern era, and that there were horse carriages on the streets instead of cars.

"This is my first time riding a gondola." Hector's head swiveled left and right, taking in the beautiful sights as he rode a boat down one of Starwater City's water canals. "Oh wow, look at that guy. He just left the restaurant with so many leftovers on his table. Why the heck did he order that much anyway!?"

"Why do you care?" Reivan grinned, sitting right next to him. He then turned toward the boat's driver. "Thanks for humoring us, Valter."

"Not at all," The guardian knight smiled down at them. "This is nice for me as well, Your Highness. It brings back memories of when I did this for my wife."

"She's still doing well, I hope?"

"Too well. Seren's a little too energetic for someone her age."

Reivan tilted his head a little, a crooked smile on his face. "I'm glad to hear that...?"

Eventually, they made it to their destination so they all got off, leaving the boat as it was. There were people tasked to take care of these Gondolas all over the place, and in any case, nobody in the city would steal a boat.

Reivan led the way, with Hector and Valter right behind him. There was no need for Valter to hide in his shadow this time since having a bodyguard or two was the norm in this place.

"Here it is. It's The Cat's Paw," he said while pointing at a black paw-shaped sign with the restaurant's name written in golden letters.

As a city for the wealthy but not powerful, every establishment charged premium prices for premium services and products. Even the quaint-looking little restaurant hidden behind the brighter opulence of its neighbors was the same. Still, it looked like a warm and welcoming place that gave off the scent of home — a stark contrast to just about every other establishment nearby.

'This is probably their charm, huh?'

Hector took one look at the storefront and asked, "What're we gonna do in here?"

"We're going to fight monsters, drink their blood, and eat their flesh," Reivan said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Of course, we're here to eat. Idiot. Shut up and come inside."

Hector shrugged and followed after.

Upon entering, the alluring scent of a variety of seafood instantly whetted their appetites, a gentle reminder to Reivan of the delectable cuisine that The Cat's Paw was renowned for – a culinary experience well worth its price.

"Good evening, sirs." A handsome host immediately stepped forward to greet them. "Do you have a reservation?"

Reivan nodded, handing over a piece of paper. "We do. I believe the others are here already..."

The man glanced at the ticket before his smile grew larger. "Yes, sir. They arrived about ten minutes ago and ordered... a number of dishes. You're just in time since they have all been arranged at your table."

"Wonderful."

"Please allow me to lead you to your room."

"Thank you very much."

As Reivan and Co were led deeper within, Hector whispered a question to him.

"Why are there no chairs or tables? I thought this was a restaurant. It looks more like part of the mansion..."

Reivan chuckled, being reminded that Hector had never been to these types of establishments. "The customers don't eat in one giant room here. You basically reserve private rooms and you have food brought over. That way, you can enjoy some privacy... which, you understand, is very important if I want to eat in peace, right?"

"Ohhhh..." Hector nodded in understanding. "How fancy."

"You're just poor."

"Shut up. Even if that's true, don't you think you shouldn't say it out loud? Nobody will think you're mute even if you stay quiet."

As Reivan snickered, they eventually made it to their destination.

"We're here, gentlemen." The host bowed and gestured toward the door.

"Thank you." Reivan nodded and knocked on the door. He called out "It's me. I'm coming in." before pulling the door open, subtly slipping a 100-lumen note into the man's hand as he passed by.

"If you need anything, milords," The host called out after him, noticeably more enthusiastic than earlier. "you may ring the bell and I will come as fast as I feasibly can!"

Ignoring the man's remark and the burning sensation in his wallet, Reivan planted his feet firmly on the carpet and braced himself for the impact he knew was coming.

"Yani!"

Two steps into the room and something barreled right into him. This had happened far too many times for him to wonder who it was though, so he received the attacker as gently as possible.

"Jiji, I told you not to charge at me full force like this. You're stronger than you think, y'know?"

The white-haired cat girl happily smiled up at him, her arms wrapped around his torso. "It's fine since you're much stronger, right?"

"Well, that is true. But still..."

"Anyway, come inside! I already ordered stuff I know you'd like!"

His protests ignored, Reivan found himself getting dragged to the chair next to the one Jiji had claimed for herself. Though the table had six seats, the food spread out on it could probably feed ten.

'M-My wallet... Ugh. The pains of being the older sibling...'

Another look at his little sister — who was the leading cause for his rising expenses — and the surprisingly mature black dress she wore made Reivan nod to himself in admiration. Though barely any skin was revealed, the dark lace and the way the fabric clung tightly to her form made her look slightly older than she actually was. Her partially braided silky white hair flowed down to her hips, giving her an almost ethereal glow. Paired with a choice of accessories tailor-made for her, Jiji was a sight for sore eyes.

'She's all grown up. Well, not by that much but still...'

Although his little sister appeared just as usual when seen through his eyes, he knew she must look like an ordinary — but absolutely, insanely, and unbearably adorable — black-haired human girl to others.

'My sister's the cutest in the world after all.'

Reivan shrugged, thinking he was blessed in both lives when it came to this aspect. He looked back and signaled Hector and Valter to come inside.

Hector hesitantly walked up to the table and took a seat on Reivan's left side — the one that didn't have a feline lass sitting on it while fawning over her elder brother.

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"Yani, Yani..." Jiji stabbed some fried shrimp with her fork, dipped it in some sort of pinkish sauce, and offered it to Reivan. "Try this! One of the grampas said that this pairs well with their special fruit sauce."

"Well, it smells good, I'll give you that." Reivan licked his lips when the sauce's fragrance drifted into his nose. He opened his mouth and let himself be fed, savoring the taste with his eyes closed. "So good..."

"Right!?" Jiji excitedly exclaimed, picking out something else to feed him with. "What should I have you try next..."

"Anything that isn't spicy..." Reivan steadily grew engrossed with examining the delicious seafood spread out on the table but snapped out of it. "Wait a minute. I almost forgot."

"What is it, Yani?"

"Where's your sister?"

"Huni...?" Jiji tapped her chin in thought. "She went to use the lady's room. Why? Did you need something from her? I'll do it instead!"

"Uh, it's not something you can do, so no." Reivan shook his head and jerked his chin toward Hector — who looked stunned to hear that Mimi was there as well. "I need her to do something about this idiot."

"Oh my. Idiot...?" Jiji's body tilted to one side, peeking beyond him. "Ah. Hector was here. And he looks really shocked about something too. Yani, why didn't you say something? I didn't even greet them yet."

'Was that really something I had to say...? You have eyes, y'know.'

"And there's Sir Valter as well. Hello." Jiji stood up and performed a graceful curtsy. "Thank you very much for watching over my elder brother all the time."

"I am merely doing what my duty entails. No thanks is necessary," Valter said, but his lips still curled up slightly.

Jiji placed a hand over her mouth and giggled. "Please continue to watch over him."

"Of course."

Reivan picked up another tempura and popped it into his mouth, trying out what it tasted like without the sauce. "I'm still here, by the way."

"We know. Anyway, why did you bring Hector along? Not that I'm protesting, or anything. I merely thought this would be a casual dinner before we part ways to handle our own agendas for tonight."

"Yeah, well, stuff popped up and I need Mimi's help. Has she been gone long?"

Jiji hummed while tapping her cheek. "She should be back right about now, I think..."

"Need me for something?"

Reivan and Jiji looked toward the door to see a pretty girl who was around Reivan's age. Her dark brown, shoulder-length hair was slightly curly at the ends and she wore relatively plain clothes when compared to Jiji's elegant ensemble. Her simple attire seemed to match the quaint atmosphere of their restaurant, painting a lovely picture.

"Oh, Rei's here. Took you long enough, I was getting hungry!" Mimi complained the moment she stepped inside but froze when she laid eyes on Hector. "What're you doing here?"

Hector visibly stiffened at the question, his ears growing red. "I, u-uh..."

"I invited him." Reivan cut in. "No problem with that, right?"

Mimi harrumphed and stalked over to the chair opposite Jiji's before she sat down. She then glared at Hector. "What're you doing?"

"Eh, what..."

She pointed at the only seat next to her. "Sit next to me!"

"Oh!" Hector jumped out of his seat like it was on fire. "R-Right! Sorry!"

As his friend rushed over to the other side of the table, Reivan smirked, directing a knowing look at the older of his two little sisters.

Mimi noticed this and bristled, her cheeks slightly tinged with red. "Wh-what!? Stop looking at me like that!"

"Sorry sorry." Reivan raised his hands while chuckling.

'The mission's as good as complete now.'

----------------------------------------

"I was the one who picked out this restaurant, y'know?" Mimi boasted as she fussed over Hector — who didn't know how to eat seafood. "Do you like it?"

Hector, who hadn't even eaten anything yet nodded vigorously. "It's great! I love everything!"

'Idiots.'

Reivan shook his head in exasperation at the two, choosing to leave them to their own devices now. What truly deserved his attention was the scrumptious feast in front of him.

'Oh, whoops.'

"Valter." Reivan glanced behind him, where Valter seemed to wish to blend into the wall like a chameleon. "Come eat with us."

"I would not dare to intrude, Your Highness."

"You're not intruding if I specifically invite you. C'mon!"

The guardian knight shook his head. "I cannot partake in an activity that could impede my ability to protect you. So forgive me, I will have to decline for now."

Knowing the knight would keep on stubbornly refusing no matter how much he was pestered, Reivan gave up.

'Suit yourself. Not every day we can eat someplace fancy. I wonder if this place has takeout...'

Sure, Reivan ate the very best of the best at the castle. But a place like the Cat's Paw had a different sort of charm that the palace chefs couldn't provide. Namely, since there was fierce competition over the numerous establishments in the city, they had to be a bit... courageous when it came to culinary innovation.

Hence, it was a treat for the taste buds whenever something new came along — like the fruit sauce Jiji had him try with some shrimp.

"Yani," Jiji chimed in from his right, a considerable amount of food placed around her. "You said you had business here in Starwater, but you didn't say what it was. Won't you tell me?"

"It's a secret," Reivan immediately answered.

"A secret...?" Jiji seemed to bristle at this, even going so far as to put down her crystalware. "You don't usually keep secrets from me..."

'You only think that because the secrets never get revealed. Which is precisely the point of keeping secrets!'

"Anyway," Reivan chose a particularly juicy block of lobster meat and placed it on his plate as he turned toward her. "Should you really be eating so much when you have an appointment with the Primero's family?"

"Don't change the subject, Yani."

"You'll get fat and your dress will look weird."

"I will not...! Don't say something so ominous!" Jiji playfully hit his shoulder, her ears perked up. "M-My body needs a lot of nutrients because I'm still growing. Mother said so! That's why I need to eat lots so I can become just like her... and even when my tasks are mostly deskwork, I train too! I won't get fat! Stop saying horrible things!"

Reivan snickered, getting a surprisingly strong reaction out of her. Ever since she'd pretty much taken over as the representative of the royal family — attending morning court sessions, acting as the token judge for high-profile cases, and even playing niceties with merchants and ministers alike — Jiji had become a completely different person publicly, and pretty much always had a mask of composure on at all times.

She was a lovable existence that all the old men at court fawned over like she was their own granddaughter. Even the Primero took to her, going as far as to send a formal message to Reivan, telling him to never attend morning court sessions ever again and to leave it all to his sister from then on.

'Where the hell is all the bullshit he spouted? I thought he wanted me to gain something from attending those! Like a feel for the problems the nation faces and stuff!'

Perhaps it was all because of the attention she was getting, Jiji took much better care to dress and act properly. She studied more about etiquette than Reivan or Roland ever did, becoming the perfect embodiment of nobility and grace.

Her mannerisms, the way she spoke, and the way she dressed all made her seem like anything but a child, forcing everyone to treat her seriously.

'Well, she's still a spoiled brat on the inside though. I know that best.'

In any case, because all the old guys in power took a liking to her, Jiji became incredibly influential, to the point that she could affect Aizen on a national scale should she wish to.

Just an offhanded comment on how she finds a certain product annoying would cause multiple cities to ban the said product. Her words and opinions all subtly affected law-making and all sorts of other matters.

Luckily, she was a good girl, openly sharing what she experienced and asking for advice over dinners.

Just like tonight.

"So Yani, what's your opinion on the rising gang activity in the Western cities?" Jiji asked something that made Reivan stiffen. "I mean, I know that Worgon is basically a throwaway city, but the activities are spreading to other cities for some reason. It doesn't make for a pretty picture... and some of the citizens are apparently quite alarmed by it. I really do wonder what the cause of this is..."

'Yep. That's my fault.'

"It's quite troublesome, Yani. Even though it's hard for immigrants to gain visas, for some reason, their numbers outside of Worgon keep rising. I and the Primero are of the opinion that someone's giving the visas out too much... Maybe even illegally. The viceroys fear that there is a bigger problem than just some neighborhood nuisances. Perhaps there is some corruption at play..."

'It was me. I did it. I'm so sorry.'

Reivan massaged his temples. Few people knew he was running an underground organization.

His parents, his uncle, Valter, a select few knights who're usually tasked with helping him smuggle things in and out of the country and letting his people across borders, and the group of old men that he frequently consulted about how to run Ouroboros.

Naturally, the Sword Star also knew.

Everyone else knew nothing, including the other Grand Ministers.

Reivan felt that the Primero likely had some inklings, but he also knew that the old politician would stay silent about it anyway — because it would make for a more amusing situation.

'That old bastard...'

"Yani? Hello~?"

Reivan was broken out of his thoughts when his sister started poking his cheek with a crab claw. He bit it and spat it down on his plate then thought about what to say.

"I think you can leave it alone for now... I doubt a few measly gangs can make a large impact on the nation's security as a whole. Have there been reports of actual crimes?"

"I don't think so..." Jiji contemplated for a moment, chewing on a piece of fish and subtly covering her mouth with her hand as she did so. Once she was done, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and said, "I believe that all their actions ever amounted to was hawking wares to citizens door to door and other public inconveniences. They all looked quite menacing, apparently, so citizens reported them as suspicious people."

"And the results?"

"Well, the peacekeepers can arrest people just for being suspicious, but after a bit of investigation, they'd let them go anyway. The reason stated in the incident reports is that the gang members didn't actually do anything that warranted jail time or deportation. Violence was never used too, so that added an extra layer to their defense."

'Yep. That sounds like something my people did, alright.'

He didn't specifically know what the heck those idiot gang members were doing, but some of the knights under him definitely bailed them out of trouble with the unknowing peacekeepers.

The will of the royal family was the will of the knight order, so pretty much anything a knight decided could be recognized as the will of Aizen's top wolves. This was why knights couldn't go around saying whatever they wanted in public.

So if a knight — any knight — came into the peacekeeper's office and said to let the gang members go, the peacekeepers would oblige without question. That was just how things were run in the kingdom.

Luckily, knights were sworn to loyalty so this authority was never abused.

'Anyway, I can't tell her yet.'

Jiji was like an open book sometimes. So there was a chance that the information could be leaked from her without her knowledge or intention — for example, to the wily old men she hung around with on a daily basis.

Past events had already revealed that even ministers in high positions were not immune to corruption.

'Well, I don't think any of those old guys would betray Aizen but it's better to be safe.'

Reivan cleared his throat and said, "Well then. That's that. There's no harm in leaving them alone for now, no? Just some minor inconveniences. It would be more troublesome if our nation gained the reputation of oppressing immigrants without just cause. As for possible corruption, that kind of thing will be found out immediately. Father has been cracking down on that sort of thing since last year, you know?"

'That's also because of me.' Reivan thought proudly.

"Well, that is true..." Jiji nodded to herself, seemingly convinced.

"Was that all you wanted advice on?"

"Mhm. That was all. I can handle the others myself."

"How dependable." Reivan smiled as he reached out and stroked her head, paying particular focus to her ears.

Jiji didn't resist at all and even tilted slightly to make it easier for him. Her eyes closed in bliss as she cooed. "I'm doing my best, reward me~!"

"Isn't treating you to dinner enough...?"

"The court grampas always treat me to something like this. It can't count as a reward."

'Damn those guys. What'll you do if she gains an acquired taste for luxury!?'

It would all be fine and dandy if they ate at the palace, but what if every time they went out, Jiji asked to be treated to some ridiculously expensive place?

'I wish Father would give me a black card like he did with Mother. He gets mad when I borrow hers too...'

"Oh, Yani. I was wondering." Jiji looked up at him with a pair of eyes as golden as his. "You brought Hector along so why didn't you bring that girl with you too?"

Reivan chuckled at that, stopping his head stroking and going back to his food. "She'd eat through my wallet. Starwater City's cuisine is all about quality over quantity after all."

His little side project was netting him an enormous monthly income, but he couldn't spend it all on luxuries. He had to reinvest those profits to grow his business — or so one of his advisers said, the man's experience as a former merchant serving him well.

Bringing Helen to Starwater City was the height of foolishness since the girl barely had any money to her name, forcing Reivan to cover the costs of anything she would eat.

'Cheap restaurants with massive servings suit her the most.'

Jiji nodded. "That's true. Yani, mark my words, that girl's going to get incredibly fat one of these days. She can't keep shoving greasy and fatty food into her mouth and get away with it! Honestly, that girl has no restraint when it comes to eating."

'...You're one to talk.'

Jiji had been the one to order all of their food and most of it would likely be devoured by her as well.

"Anyway," Reivan picked up a lobster with his hand and easily cracked it open with brute force. The smell that wafted up to him made his salivate, but before he dug in, he turned to Jiji. "You should get to eating for real too. We're in a private room so it should be fine."

"But..."

"If you're too slow, I'll eat through most of these, y'know?"

With some hesitation, Jiji set down utensils and started grabbing food with her bare hands too, voraciously devouring everything she got her paws on.

'Yep. This is the real Jiji.'

Most people knew her as the royal family's adopted daughter, self-groomed into a competent and likable princess who always acted with grace and elegance.

But Reivan knew her as the spoiled brat with an appetite that was only slightly below Helen's.

'You'll probably get fat before Helen.'

Reivan shook his head. One trained all day while the other socialized or sat at a desk for half of it.

The result was obvious.