Chapter 148
Chapter 148
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: The Yandere Fairy's Gaze is Strange
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“You must be Haeseong, the one who received the position of Aquatic Minister?”
It wasn't the heavy, imposing aura unique to King Yama, nor the subtle atmosphere of the Jade Emperor.
This was something far chillier, a presence that seemed to invert the temperature right in front of him.
Suddenly, he felt a chill run down his spine.
“Ah, hello.”
She brushed her sweat-dampened hair back carelessly and slowly stepped out of the sauna.
Even through the faint white steam, her facial features stood out sharply.
Her skin was smooth as porcelain, flawless, and her face was defined more by straight lines than curves—a cool, angular shape.
If he had to describe it in mortal terms, it was haughty, perhaps?
Like the Jade Emperor, her beauty carried such overwhelming dignity that even calling it “beautiful” felt too trivial.
She tilted her head slightly toward King Yama and asked.
“...Who might this be?”
King Yama narrowed his eyes at the woman, swallowing a sigh instead of answering.
At that moment, she began approaching.
Lightly, but in a straight line, without hesitation.
She stopped in front of him and bowed gracefully at the waist.
“Pleased to meet you. I am the Doctrine Fairy.”
Her voice was low and composed, yet it carried a subtle resonance.
Each word was precise, her tone gentle, but an indefinable air of refinement emanated from her.
She has an atmosphere strangely similar to the Cloud Flower Great King.
Stoic and poised, with no unnecessary emotions showing on her face.
The Doctrine Fairy straightened up again, brushing her wet, long hair back, revealing beads of sweat forming between her nape and collarbone, slowly trickling down in tiny droplets.
“What brings you here to this place, Doctrine Fairy...?”
“I am the one who attends the Jade Emperor most closely.”
“Ah... I see.”
Unthinkingly, he untied the towel from his waist and cautiously offered it to the Doctrine Fairy.
“H-Here... Your sweat keeps flowing.”
The Doctrine Fairy stared at the towel in his hand for a moment, then nodded ever so slightly.
“Thank you.”
She took the towel with a formality as if it were part of a ritual, unfolding it meticulously.
The way she carefully wiped the sweat from her nape was smooth, elegant, and precise.
Every single movement feels like it's from a royal drama...
After wiping the sweat, she turned her head slightly toward the bathhouse.
“I stopped by briefly since this is where the Jade Emperor will be staying. By the way, this pond is quite impressive.”
Her words caught him off guard, but he quickly bowed halfway, showing proper respect.
“You're too kind. It was made from the design my father created.”
“Hm, where is your father now?”
“He has passed away.”
“...A man who crafted such a fine pond must have gone to a good place.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
The Doctrine Fairy gazed at the pond with her still-haughty eyes, then shifted her attention.
She pointed at the sauna with her finger.
“What's that structure? It's not something we have even in the heavenly realm. I couldn't quite figure it out even after looking inside.”
“It's a space for sweating. You apply heat to draw out impurities from the body.”
The Doctrine Fairy nodded microscopically and looked back at the sauna.
Her eyes seemed intent on missing nothing, not even the grain of the wooden bench reflected inside the glass door.
“So, it's a place where your pores are cleansed and your skin becomes clear?”
“Y-Yes, that's right.”
The Doctrine Fairy's lips twitched upward just enough that it was barely noticeable.
It was no more than a two-degree muscle twitch, but it was definitely a smile.
“You've done well with it. This should satisfy even the Jade Emperor.”
Praise for the bathhouse left him stunned yet inwardly proud.
He bowed politely and straightened.
“It must be far inferior to anything in the heavenly realm, of course, but bathing here should be comfortable enough.”
“...It seems so. Now, show me where the Jade Emperor will sleep.”
The Doctrine Fairy spoke with her still-imposing face, leaning slightly forward.
Her words were courteous, but they carried a weight that brooked no argument.
He drew in a subtle breath.
Caught off guard by the unexpected request, he soon flashed a gentle smile.
“Ah, yes. This way, please.”
He carefully descended the metal stairs from the rooftop, sighing inwardly.
Ha... Couldn't they have given some advance notice... I haven't even cleaned properly...
For some reason, King Yama didn't follow, leaving just him and the Doctrine Fairy to cautiously pass through the front door and scan the house.
On the sink sat an uncleaned mug from yesterday's coffee, a cushion tossed in one corner of the living room, and next to it, a blanket awkwardly spread out caught his eye.
Traces of daily life he usually overlooked now felt embarrassingly conspicuous.
Still, he forced a bright expression.
“This way. The room isn't large, but it's quiet and gets good sunlight.”
The Doctrine Fairy followed silently behind him.
He opened the bedroom door and turned on the light, revealing the interior under the warm glow of the lamp.
It wasn't pristine, but it had all the basic furniture.
On the table by the large window sat a small alarm clock he hadn't put away and an old book.
“Is this where the Jade Emperor will sleep?”
“Ah... This bedroom was originally mine... but if the Jade Emperor is coming, of course I'd give him this room. I can sleep in the small one.”
At his words, the Doctrine Fairy quietly stepped inside.
Her eyes slowly scanned the space.
From the furniture arrangement and wallpaper color to the angle of sunlight filtering through the window cracks—everything was under scrutiny.
Then, she pressed her palm slowly against the mattress.
Even evaluating the bed springs?
He pressed his lips together, his face full of question marks at her actions.
She finally spoke softly.
“Prepare new bedding.”
“O-Of course, that was the plan.”
“The bedroom is more acceptable than expected, at least.”
“Th-Thank you.”
Why was he thanking the Doctrine Fairy?
The confusion was brief as she slowly moved to the living room.
Smooth.
The Doctrine Fairy slowly surveyed the living room.
At the same time, her characteristically haughty face, betraying no emotions, turned toward him.
“I'd like to sample some earthly tea...”
“P-Please, have a seat. I'll prepare some right away.”
The Doctrine Fairy quietly settled on one end of the sofa.
Her posture was impeccable—knees neatly together, back straight, the picture of restraint.
He stood in front of the fridge, pondering what tea to offer.
In the end, he went with the most human choice.
...Instant coffee might be the safest bet?
He carefully took a packet of instant coffee from the drawer.
Added water meticulously, stirred well, and placed it on the table with care.
“This is a tea called coffee.”
“Coffee...?”
“Try it. It's sweet and warm—should be good.”
The Doctrine Fairy lifted the glass cup gracefully.
And brought it slowly to her lips.
Smooth.
The moment the coffee touched her tongue, her pupils trembled ever so slightly.
She didn't seem greatly surprised, but her expression froze momentarily, like someone encountering the unexpected.
“Coffee... you say?”
“Yes. Does it suit your taste?”
“...The nutty sweetness isn't bad. The Jade Emperor might like it too.”
Her tone remained cool, but now it held a faint warmth.
Keeping a smile on his lips, he continued.
“Glad to hear it. I'll stock up plenty in advance.”
The Doctrine Fairy said nothing, quietly lifting the cup again to sip.
She drank slowly, savoring it deliberately in her mouth.
By the way.
Just when is she planning to leave?
Hasn't she seen enough already?
As the warm steam from the coffee cup in the middle of the living room slowly faded, he couldn't bear the awkward silence any longer and glanced at the time on his phone.
Twenty minutes had already passed since she began drinking wordlessly.
He loosened his tense shoulders lightly and cautiously spoke up.
“Um... when might the Jade Emperor be arriving...?”
The Doctrine Fairy finished the last sip carefully, her eyes still on the cup as she replied.
“About a month's time.”
“A month?”
“Yes.”
A whole month left—that was more leeway than expected.
The space for the Jade Emperor had been woefully inadequate, so he'd need to invest a few million won to remodel the interior.
He had to host him as best as possible if he wanted some benefits himself.
He glanced at the time again and chuckled nonchalantly.
“Then... perhaps it's time for you to prepare to return to the heavenly realm today...?”
His tone was gentle to the end, but it subtly conveyed a desperate Please leave now.
At that, the Doctrine Fairy shifted her gaze from the teacup to him.
And she said calmly.
“I'll be staying here for one day.”
“...Pardon?”
Thinking he'd misheard, he asked again, but her face showed no flicker.
“I plan to spend the night here today. The Jade Emperor's quarters need a thorough inspection.”
In other words, she was declaring she'd spend the night with him in the house.
Alarms blared noisily in his head.
Ha... damn it... this is gonna be awkward.
He let out a short sigh and spoke.
“...What about King Yama? He hasn't left yet... right?”
In response, the Doctrine Fairy said indifferently once more.
“King Yama has probably already departed for the heavenly realm by now...?”