Ryuji hadn't forgotten that Goenitz had gone out of his way to cause trouble for him.
So, as he looked at Douglas, he considered whether to pull him in and have him help deal with Goenitz a bit.
"About that…"
A god?
Douglas looked at Ryuji, wanting to refuse. He was already certain that hell existed, and Ryuji clearly wasn't an ordinary human. So, what Ryuji said was very likely real.
And precisely because of that, he wanted to refuse.
Ryuji could tell Douglas wasn't very interested, so he offered an explanation.
"All you need to do is contact the Kagura Clan and let them know that Goenitz has awakened."
He spoke casually.
"You won't need to fight or do anything dangerous."
Only then did Douglas relax. He didn't understand matters involving gods and didn't want to get involved, but he also didn't want to offend Ryuji. Being given such an easy task was already good enough.
"I understand. I'll make sure they can trace the information back to you if necessary, but before that, they won't know it came from us. At that time, you can just inform Helena… Also, do you need me to stay alive, Mr. Ryuji?"
Douglas spoke quite obligingly, asking Ryuji's decision regarding him.
"A father shouldn't be absent from the important moments of his daughter's life."
Ryuji's words made Douglas breathe a sigh of relief and even feel a bit happy. It meant that from time to time, he could return from hell for a while.
Even though the redemption system in hell had become more humane, it was still no pleasant place. Being able to come back occasionally was a good thing. And he wouldn't need to worry about getting too involved in the battle between Ryuji and the gods, which was enough.
After all, he was just a dead man.
Just as Ryuji nodded, Mai quickly came over with the remaining dishes, her face full of pride.
"Alright! The food's ready!"
Various dishes were placed on the table. At the same time, Ryuji quietly extended Douglas's remaining life by another month, so that he could assist Helena with many matters.
Douglas's expression grew even brighter.
Mai's cooking skills were decent, but still within the range of home-style dishes. However, the taste of the food was only one part of it, the people sharing the meal mattered even more.
When Ryuji began asking Hanzo and Douglas about their past achievements, the awkward atmosphere completely disappeared.
Instead, it turned into a lively exchange between two generations, sharing their views and experiences, occasionally sighing with emotion.
Thus, the dinner table became unusually lively.
Tifa watched Mai and Helena's bright smiles with a hint of envy. She wasn't stupid; she had seen everything Ryuji had done throughout the day.
And because of that, she understood that Mai was someone Ryuji truly cared for, while Helena had the wealth and power to make Ryuji help resurrect her father.
But what did she have?
Watching Helena cling to her father's arm unwilling to let go, and Mai occasionally acting spoiled toward her grandfather and father, although Marie Rose was chatting with her at the side, and Helena's mother would ask her a few questions, she was still an outsider, not even from this world, and clearly felt neglected by those gathered around Helena and Mai, who were eager to talk with their loved ones.
So, looking at the lavish banquet, she instead felt a sense of boredom and helplessness.
The boredom came from not understanding what they were talking about; the helplessness came from drifting along without seeing a future.
So, after the banquet ended, she wanted to help wash the dishes, but the sink was already occupied by Marie Rose, Mai and Mai's mother. Tifa could only help tidy up the tableware, then nervously rubbed her hands together, wanting to find Ryuji to say goodnight before going to her room.
But just as she reached the balcony, she overheard the conversation between Ryuji and Douglas.
"No, there's no need for Mr. Ryuji to act. I was only ambushed earlier. I'm sorry, Mr. Ryuji, but Helena may need to follow me for a while. During this time, could you please take care of my wife?"
Douglas made his request sincerely, and Ryuji nodded in agreement.
"No problem. You're planning to help Helena take over, right? Do you really not need me to kill a few people for you?"
Douglas nodded. If he only had eight hours, he would have left Helena with a kill list, but with a month of life, he could use both pressure and incentives.
There was no need to break the rules by killing.
"Yes. After this, in others' eyes, it will seem that I've gone into hiding and am controlling Helena from behind the scenes. That will also serve as protection for her safety and deter some people."
As he said this, Douglas subtly observed Ryuji's expression. He had his own selfish motives, wanting to be revived from time to time.
"No problem. During holidays, Helena will reunite with you."
Ryuji made it clear he didn't mind. After all, the wool comes from the sheep; using what he gained from Helena to give her father time to accompany her wasn't unacceptable.
At that moment, both of them noticed Tifa's footsteps. Douglas nodded at Ryuji with a complicated expression and said his final piece.
"Then tomorrow I'll leave with Helena and Marie Rose. I'll trouble you to bring my wife to stay at the Shiranui dojo for a week. I'll have a villa built next door to the Shiranui dojo… If you want to renovate the dojo, just contact the construction team. As for what my daughter promised earlier, I won't forget."
Douglas casually made promises that ordinary people couldn't achieve in a lifetime, further demonstrating his sincerity.
Then he quickly left, leaving Tifa a bit at a loss.
She had only come to say goodnight before going to sleep, but she hadn't expected to interrupt their conversation, which made her feel embarrassed.
So, when she saw Ryuji, she awkwardly placed her hands on her chest, pressing her long legs together. The white dress she wore made her look even more innocent, and paired with her anxious expression, she appeared especially pitiful.
Yet her already well-developed breasts, though not as large as Mai's or even Helena's, had quite impressive natural bounce. With just a slight movement of her body, Ryuji could see a subtle curve.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Ryuji, I disturbed you."
~~~~~~~~~~
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