Now, May I Taste You?
Now, may I taste you?
The next day, I headed to the Heavenly Tower to check on Estelle's condition and work on crafting the exoskeleton as originally planned.
...Even though there had been chaos at the top of the Heavenly Tower just a day ago, the atmosphere remained unchanged. Traces of the shattered oracle had been cleared away, and any collapsed or cracked areas had been repaired. Trials were proceeding as usual, alchemists were discussing with others or giving lectures.
"The crystal structure keeps collapsing—why, when the mana density is uniform?"
"Isn't it a mismeasurement of the threshold? The mana might be turbid."
"After 12 rounds of purification? They even used vacuum distillation and soul resonance filters...."
I calmly made my way through the Heavenly Tower and approached the artificial spirit handling the menial tasks.
"May I see the Tower Lord?"
"Do you mean Estelle Argent, the former Tower Lord?"
"...Yes. That's right."
"She is still in the Tower Lord's chambers... She says you may enter. Please go up."
I mulled over the attendant's words. The phrase "former Tower Lord" lingered in my mind.
Well, after what happened, it's only natural they'd strip her of the title.
In the Tower World, the title of "Tower Lord" wasn't some honorable or authoritative position like it might be on Earth. Here, the head of any organization was simply someone who paid a specific price for the public authority the organization wielded... After all, all outcomes led back to the Tower, and before anyone could enjoy fame or fortune, they usually vanished inside it.
I myself had temporarily taken the role of Heavenly Tower Lord to obtain the Elixir. I'd forced all the alchemists in the Tower to perform specific tasks, in exchange for periodic public lessons.
Thinking back now, it was embarrassing. I'd taught others as if it were my own enlightenment, but it was all just regurgitating my master's knowledge and recipes.
*knock knock*
"It's Han Do-yoon. May I come in?"
"Come in."
Opening the door, I saw Estelle tidying up the room. Despite yesterday's events, she didn't seem off in any way.
"I thought you'd run off. I was wondering how to chase you down and drag you back."
"Is there anywhere to run to in this place?"
"And you're so brazen after doing that to me."
"You liked it, didn't you?"
Estelle's silver hair swayed. Her emotionless face softened, soon turning into a smile.
"I can't argue with that... Have a seat. I have something to tell you."
I pulled up a chair and sat. Estelle stopped tidying and sat across from me.
"I should offer you something, but... with stepping down as Tower Lord, I'm in the middle of packing up the room. Sorry, no time for that."
"I heard about that. What will you do next?"
Estelle clasped her hands at her navel, assuming a demure posture.
"Instead of having my alchemist qualifications revoked, I've taken responsibility for matters related to the stars."
"Responsibility? Was that a choice? So you picked the latter... But if it's forced on you, not something you want, it'll be tough."
"...No. I proposed it, and I chose it."
Her words immediately raised my suspicions. Someone who knew the stars well, policing those who knew the stars?
Like handing fish to a cat.
It was like entrusting a drug addict with narcotics enforcement. The demonic temptation of the stars' whispers, which revealed answers to every problem, wasn't easy to shake off. After devouring Betelgeuse with my Predatory Emotion, I'd envied alchemists who still heard them. Whatever the price, the stars could reveal the secrets of the Elixir.
What is she thinking?
I'd planned to approach Estelle cautiously, but if I dragged it out, we'd end up in our old dynamic, so I decided to push hard.
"Why did you make that decision?"
Estelle's lips curved into a faint smile... and she slightly opened her eyes, which rarely stirred for most things. A subtle light like moonlight seeped from her gray-blue pupils.
"One star is enough for the Tower World."
"...Pardon?"
"No more hiding it. Han Do-yoon... I've figured it all out from this incident. You dismantled and devoured that monster's power—there's only one explanation for that. You... are the star I've longed for."
"...I have no idea what you're talking about."
"I don't know why you're hiding it... but fine. I'll play along. But one thing I'll make clear: I, Estelle Argent, will gaze only upon Betelgeuse."
Estelle closed her eyes again.
"...From now on, I'll seek out those called Star Bishops and disrupt their rituals. I'll also research your ability to develop countermeasures so anyone can stand against the stars. I can't just rely on you if something like last time happens again."
The idea of Estelle, once a Star Bishop, now moving against the stars... was intriguing. Knowing the upheavals in the Tower World each time a star-summoning ritual occurred, I felt expectations rising for her potential help... I'd already devoured a "star," so I could resist even if another ritual happened, but prevention was better.
If possible, I'd like to focus only on the Elixir and the Tower... This seems like something I should assist with.
After some thought, I spoke up.
"Is there anything I can help with?"
"...Yes. There's something I absolutely need you to do."
Estelle suddenly stood, moving behind my back. What kind of request required this kind of atmosphere? I dreaded it. How should I handle a woman whose head was a bit off, mistaking me for a "star" and obsessing over it? The worry gnawed at me.
But my fears were unfounded. With a tender touch, she embraced me from behind, whispering sweetly into my ear.
"...Tonight, hold me once more."
It wasn't a difficult request.
While the sun was up, I took care of my tasks. I'd planned to prepare for the exoskeleton, but someone had beaten me to it, sweeping up the necessary materials. As if they knew exactly what was needed for it. By the time I'd found substitutes, it was time for my appointment with Estelle.
Here it is...
Estelle's private workshop near the Heavenly Tower. Unlike Summer's Grand Triangle, it wasn't open to the public—no signboard. Tucked away from the city center where stars were visible, it felt a bit risky.
I entered with an inexplicable tension.
"Come in. It's open."
She must have noticed me the moment I stepped into the courtyard; her voice came from inside. The workshop wasn't large, making it possible.
A donut-shaped structure... like a telescope.
The circular building was obvious even from outside. Estelle waited in the central room with its ceiling open to the sky like a donut... A telescope alchemists commonly used pointed at the heavens—perhaps she'd been stargazing. Unsure of her state, I steeled myself.
"You're here. I was worried you wouldn't come. I've prepared a lot."
"Prepared? What?"
There was nothing notable in the room. Just a neatly made bed and furniture. Estelle wore a dark robe that covered her body, not her usual style. A kettle sat by the bed, emitting a sweet scent.
Caramel syrup?
I wondered what she'd prepared and checked the kettle when—swish—Estelle suddenly shed her robe beside me.
"I've prepared myself so you can eat me up nice and tasty♡"
Turning my head, there stood Estelle in a sheer pink dress that revealed her insides. It screamed intent to seduce a male as a female for nighttime fun. Though only her cleavage was exposed, the fabric was so thin her skin shone through, her curves blatantly on display. Full, curved breasts, sunken nipples, soft belly and Venus mound... Yesterday she'd clearly had pubic hair, but today it was gone.
"I figured you'd prepared yourself since you asked to be held... but not this blatantly."
Estelle, still eyes closed, blushed facing away from the moonlight.
"I was jealous... of your master."
"Enough to wait for me dressed like that?"
"Is this all?"
Estelle sucked on one of her ample breasts with a smack, then approached me, pressing a girlish kiss to my lips... Smack. Through her mouth came a fishy yet sweet liquid—not saliva.
Identifying it with Predatory Emotion was instant... Surprisingly, it was something I'd never tasted in the Tower World.
"Thin milk, slightly sweet... with a moderate lactose mix."
"Don't embarrass me... spare the evaluation."
Estelle reached out, calmly undressing me. She removed Evelyn's robe, unbuttoned my shirt. Unbuckled my belt, pulled down my pants. When my underwear appeared, she buried her face in it and sniffed. Rubbing her nose against my fully erect cock, visible even through the fabric, she met my eyes.
"Shall I go first? Or do you want to taste me first, Han Do-yoon?"
I couldn't hold back anymore. Silently, I scooped her up and tossed her onto the bed. Estelle let out a girlish squeal—kyaa!—as I hiked up her ankle-length thin dress, revealing her pale legs. Kneading from behind her knees to her thighs, I stripped her down to her pelvis, then palmed from her Venus mound up to her breasts.
Riiip!
I tore away the fabric covering her sunken nipples without hesitation. Estelle's face was alight with eager anticipation. It twisted into pleasure and pain in an instant.
"Kyaaak... Hnng, haang... G-gentle... please, like that... hnnng♡"
Like coaxing a rabbit from bushes, I teasingly rolled my tongue to draw out her naughty nipples. I mashed her breasts high, tormenting only the holes. But instead of what should emerge, a sweet, sticky liquid trickled out.
Breast milk.
...I fell for that alluring taste. I bit and sucked her breasts roughly. With a force I'd never use on other women—out of consideration—not with love or tenderness, but pure lust, I suckled Estelle's tits.
"Haang, it hurts, hurts... hnnk... heuk, mmph♡"
Chuuuup! Slurp, haam, gulp gulp—whatever drug she'd used, the milk flowed endlessly like melted taffy with every suck. My face grew slick with it.
Taking a brief break, I pulled away, and her heaving breasts—hahk, hahk—numbed my reason.
"Better... than Evelyn's, right?"
Jealous type. Curious how she'd react if I said no—expecting something cute—I dodged.
"You wanted it this bad?"
Not satisfied, Estelle grabbed the bedside kettle and poured it over herself. Sticky liquid soaking her breasts, sweet scent... That caramel syrup from earlier.
"You seem to like sweet things."
"I don't hate them. Love caramel milk especially."
"Tonight... eat your fill♡"
I swallowed hard, burying my face in her navel. Melting flesh, soft skin. Gorging on the dip with my tongue-tip, her body writhed, pale thighs enveloping my face. Not idle, I tweaked her now-protruding nipples—milk streamed down my wrist, drenching us.
"Heuk... mmph, ungh... hn♡"
Once the sweetness faded, I lifted from her navel. Then gave the answer she craved.
"Delicious. Estelle."
"...!"
Her closed eyes snapped open; she surged up, pinning me down. The passive receiver unleashed her own desire.
"Then... now, may I taste you, Han Do-yoon?"
Her gaze, burning with hot lust, overwhelmed me; I averted my eyes. She suckled my earlobe and whispered.
"Even if you say no, I'm eating you♡"
Her delicate hands gripped my raging lower half. Knowing what was coming, I focused every nerve there. Soon, slick flesh met my glans. Labia majora parted, labia minora screamed at the unbearable size, squeezing tight.
Having been a virgin so recently, pain and fear mixed; Estelle paused at her waist.
"Aaaah♡... Hnnk, hnnk, hup...♡"
But she recalled "that time." If that woman could take it all at once, so could she.
Plung!
"Haaaaang♡"
She slammed down, swallowing to the hilt. Glans poking her womb triggered sudden ecstasy amid pain. Her virgin folds clenched squeeze, squeeze, boasting her recent purity; I kneaded her ass, holding back ejaculation.
"Heeeuk, heeeuk, hrnggg♡"
Drool dribbled from Estelle astride me. I caught and swallowed it, then said,
"Eat me. Estelle."
"Uh, uhehehet♡ My star... my one star♡ Just as you devour stars, I'll devour you♡"
Squelch, squelch!
Our genitals slapped, unleashing lewd sounds.