Chapter 188
Chapter 188
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 188
Chapter Title: Something's Off About the Yandere Fairy's Eyes
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Creaaaaak.
As soon as I pushed open the rooftop door, a familiar smell washed over me.
No matter how much time passed, the rooftop's scent hadn't changed much from when I was a kid.
Of course, there were differences too. Like that.
Splash.
A man submerged in a bathtub, steam rising thickly from his head to his toes.
Not just any man, though—his build was imposing, shoulders broad enough to carry a whole castle, forearms thick enough to hoist a pair of unruly giants without breaking a sweat.
"Lord Yama, you've arrived?"
He greeted me indifferently, eyes half-lidded as he glanced my way.
A half-hearted hello laced with boredom.
Emotions I'd bottled up deep inside for ages were bubbling up from the pit of my stomach, but for now, I kept them corked.
In response, the tips of Yama's flowing beard dipped into the bathwater before bobbing back to the surface.
"Why so curt with me, lad?"
"Don't I have good reason?"
"W-what reason!?"
"Remember when I brought you the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing robe last time?"
Yama's eyebrows twitched faintly, sending tiny ripples across the bath.
"Th-that was..."
"Do you have any idea how carefully I prepared that sweat-absorbing robe from the Gold Fairy for you? How could you just toss it on the filthy floor?"
Yama reached into the water, splashing hot droplets on the back of his neck, tilting his head awkwardly as if embarrassed.
"That time... weren't you with the Heavenly Law Fairy?"
"Exactly. How could you ditch me alone with her without a word?"
"I apologize... I just felt awkward around the Heavenly Law Fairy."
"And what about me? If you trace it back, she only came here because that Heavenly Pill you gave her caused side effects, blowing up into a mess up in the heavenly realm."
"...But didn't you say you were handling things so the Jade Emperor could stay safely on earth?"
"It was the only choice. You think the Jade Emperor would've just sat idly by if a human showed up in the heavenly realm uninvited?"
Yama chuckled sheepishly, half-rising from the bath.
His upper body emerging from the water was rippling with muscle, his back crisscrossed with old scars like ancient tattoos etched in chaos.
He slowly grabbed a towel and wiped his neck, continuing.
"I trusted you to handle the job splendidly."
"It's not over yet. The Jade Emperor's got two more visits lined up."
"...You'll navigate that wisely too."
Ha...
How did this bastard get so shameless?
I crossed my arms, scowling.
"You really have unshakable faith in me, huh?"
Yama cleared his throat shortly and picked up the robe draped nearby, slipping it on with practiced ease.
Smooth.
For a brief moment, he looked dignified, but then he turned his head and coughed again.
"Ahem, anyway... about you..."
He brushed off the robe and subtly extended his palm.
I knew exactly why, but played dumb and tilted my head.
"What?"
Yama's brow furrowed faintly.
His outstretched hand seemed to brim with expectation, wordless.
"You haven't forgotten something?"
I shook my head and eyed the shelf.
There sat the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing robe, neatly folded and waiting patiently.
"Sigh..."
I approached with a reluctant expression and picked it up.
The soft fabric brushed my fingers, carrying the Gold Fairy's distinctive sweaty scent.
I held it out casually, and Yama's eyes lit up.
"Oho...!!"
His gaze alone screamed desperate craving for the robe.
I smirked for a split second before yanking it back toward me.
Yama's hand hung comically in midair.
"Lord Yama, make sure you deliver the reward properly this time. Including what I missed last time because of the Heavenly Law Fairy."
His eyebrows quivered at that.
He'd been coughing awkwardly just moments ago, but now he straightened up, finally adopting a regal posture.
"Very well. What do you desire?"
His voice boomed with deep resonance, eyes gleaming like thunder even in the shadows.
But it didn't scare me anymore.
To me, Lord Yama was just a pervert obsessed with the Gold Fairy's sweat-absorbing robe.
"First, three Strength Amplification Heavenly Pills."
"First...?"
"And I have something to ask if it's possible."
"Speak."
"You're omnipotent, right, Lord Yama?"
"...Hm?"
"I met the Jade Emperor, but compared to you, he still seems lacking."
I widened my eyes in feigned awe, overflowing with admiration.
Yama tried to hold a solemn face, but his eyebrows relaxed, lips twitching faintly as if fighting a grin. He hurriedly waved his hand twice to hide it.
"A mere human daring to judge me..."
Still, his shoulders squared noticeably as he finished.
"Naturally, I surpass the Jade Emperor by far."
"Right?"
"Of course."
Yama stroked his chin beard with one hand, struggling to contain his delight.
The long beard swayed softly under his fingers, his eyes softening warmly.
"But, Lord Yama."
"Hm?"
"Could you make a Heavenly Pill that cures illnesses?"
"...?"
"Something that heals torn flesh and neutralizes poison— that kind of thing."
My words halted his stroking hand.
It froze midair, his warm gaze shifting gradually to seriousness.
"I must not meddle in human life and death. That's the law of the heavens. No god can arbitrarily extend life or save the doomed, no matter the reason."
"Can't" implies it's possible, right?
I nodded and pressed on.
"So life and death are off-limits? What about clearing a muddled mind? Like pouring a glass of clear water over someone lost to madness."
Yama, chin lifted to maintain dignity, closed his eyes briefly before opening them.
"Hm. If it's just clearing a disordered mind, it shouldn't violate heavenly law."
"Oho! So you can do it?"
"Indeed."
"As expected from the omnipotent Lord Yama!"
His face flushed at my praise as he spoke.
"How many do you need?"
"Two will suffice."
"Very well."
Yama opened his palm, and three crimson-glowing Heavenly Pills materialized alongside two faintly shimmering ones like pale blue mist.
The blue ones were so pure that just looking at them made my mind feel clearer, almost hallucinatory.
"Wow..."
"Take them."
"Ah, yes!"
I nodded and carefully accepted the Heavenly Pills.
Their faint warmth lingered in my palm.
"These are purely for 'clearing the mind.' They can't heal the body or resurrect the dead... but they can blow a refreshing breeze into the depths of profound confusion."
"Thank you so much..."
I meant it.
Gratitude for granting my request, and deep respect for listening to a human's humble wish.
'Damn, moments like this make me respect him again.'
Mission accomplished, I handed over the sweat-absorbing robe.
A scent that might divide opinions among humans, but Yama's reaction was predictably ecstatic.
"The Gold Fairy's after so long..."
Before he could finish, he pressed it to his nose.
And inhaled deeply, reverently, ever so slowly.
"Haaaaah—"
The long exhale was practically a moan.
His shoulders heaved slowly, eyes drifting shut naturally.
His face was the picture of someone transported to another realm in an instant.
"This scent...!"
Muttering to himself, he now nuzzled the underarm section against his nose, rubbing ever so lightly.
Eyes closed, he drew in endless breaths, knees wobbling slightly from the thrill.
'Ugh, what a loser.'
Just minutes ago, he'd been a majestic being upholding divine duty on life and death. How does he ruin that reverence in under a minute?
"...Splendid. I shall take my leave."
With those words, clouds swirled in a helix at Yama's feet, gently lifting him.
Whooooosh—
He vanished from sight in the blink of an eye.
I perched on the bath's edge, staring blankly at the empty air.
"Seriously, how the hell did that idiot become King Yama?"