Chapter 523 – Resentment (3)

Banya leveled a glare at Lee Si-heon.

“What are you staring at?”

Although his reputation has significantly faltered now, at one point, he was regarded as one of the few prodigious talents of the esteemed L Academy.
The rumors surrounding Lee Si-heon were quite rampant during that time.

From being assessed as a formidable force comparable to the national trees to the point of eliminating Plum, the mightiest among the national trees.
He was the talk of the town, yet he was nothing more than a fleeting meteor in the sky. After one brilliant flash, he was branded a heretic by the World Tree and met an untimely end.

His name still echoes occasionally today.
He, who had been rated higher than Jung Si-woo for a brief moment,
What sort of monstrous entity would he have evolved into if he had been allowed to mature properly?

Sword Saint? Heavenly Demon?

The oblivious masses knew nothing.
The one who had humorously surpassed both of them was King Mokryeong. And that was Lee Si-heon.

‘…How on earth did A.B discover this fact?’

Banya wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about foreign affairs.
For her, the entirety of her existence revolved around her sorcery. Her sole aim was to unravel the mysteries of the ancient world.

‘Is there no escaping the prophecy…’

Despite foreseeing a terrifying future, Banya remained composed.

Although it was undoubtedly a filthy future, her prophecies had never been proven wrong. Banya, from a young age, had learned to accept her fate. She had no choice but to accept what was already determined, even if it meant her violation.

“I’ll explain.”

Banya began to describe the future she had witnessed.

A child with green hair was crying in the arms of a man resembling a king,
The surroundings were ablaze as if turned into a wasteland, and the signboard of a shopping district suggested that the location was Korea.

“Can you predict the exact time?”
“Judging from the blooming morning glories, it’s likely to be summer.”
“Was she hurt?”
“Nothing serious, just a few scrapes.”

Summer.
The king gave a single nod and rose from his seat.

“I’ve acknowledged it. I’ll summon you again if there’s more work.”
“…….”

Could that really be all? What significance does that girl hold for the king?

Banya narrowed her eyes and slowly covered her exposed areas.
She applied a notably adhesive bandage to her genital area and lowered her top to cover her breasts.

If violation is inevitable, when would it occur?
Why was she experiencing intermittent headaches…

Banya didn’t bid the departing king farewell, instead, she began to gather the offerings for her sorcery.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

The season is summer.
Although she couldn’t comprehend the context of the situation and events, she at least understood that Shiba wouldn’t die until the summer.

Half a year.

Thanks to this, she could afford to be more cautious with her time.

“Dowon, what are you pondering?”

“An excellent notion.”

In a tavern where only two of them resided. Equipped with minimalist attire.

Hong-Yeon, donned in traditional garb that could entirely be peeled away with a mere gesture, was carefully advancing, clinging to a bottle of liquor. A rather potent aroma of spirits pervaded the tavern.

“Why such a surplus of liquor?”
“To revel in with Do-won… Look at this. I’ve amassed quite a collection!”

Hong-Yeon gleamingly brandished an assortment of liquors from various brands in both hands.

“This is Labresoid… And this is French Marronier wine!”
“Marronier?”
“Indeed! Since 1940, only 40 bottles are brewed each year, named after the national tree… You cannot fathom the struggle it took to acquire this!”

Hong-Yeon’s face was brimming with rapture as she replied with fervor. When discussing alcoholic beverages, she had this endearing habit of becoming exhilarated. I leaned my arms on the table, resting my chin on them, and chuckled quietly.

“Isn’t that a bit excessive?”
“…Is it, peculiar?”
“It’s not peculiar. It’s commendable. Remember our first drinking session? All we had were cheap spirits.”
“That’s true…”

Hong-Yeon trailed off, seemingly reminiscing the olden days spent consuming potent spirits and retching. Guseul once mentioned that Hong-Yeon lived her days inebriated before meeting me.

Such a progression of Hong-Yeon beginning to relish spirits and collecting fine liquors is indeed commendable. It was pleasing to witness her wash away her depression and loneliness to a significant extent.

– Clatter, clatter.

The table was gradually becoming laden with various liquors. They presented an array of fragrances and countless flavors.

I’m not particularly fond of the spirits of this world. I consume substantial amounts of soju and beer, but the production method of the spirits in this world is fairly peculiar.

“Who might have produced this?”

This is because there are instances where the body of a treeman is used in the fermentation process of liquor.

Which body part they use, I’d rather not disclose. The sight of female moonshiners being referred to as ‘oak barrels’ says it all.

“What would you prefer to consume first?”

However, witnessing Hong-Yeon’s joy, it’s worth accompanying her. Especially considering I haven’t been able to pay much attention to her of late.

“Do you wish to become intoxicated? Then let’s proceed with the stronger ones first.”
“I desire to remember the experience slowly and for a prolonged period. Today… let’s supplement our drink with a touch of magic.”

Employing magic implies imbibing while regulating the level of intoxication. I nodded in agreement, and Hong-Yeon adeptly uncorked a bottle and poured me a glass.

– Glug, glug.

“Do you require a detailed explanation about the liquor?”
“Can you explain all of them?”
“Undoubtedly. This is, McKillin 1947… One of the top three malt whiskies from Italy worldwide.”
“Whisky?”
“It’s an alcoholic beverage made from malt produced by pulverizing barley. It’s not typically consumed alone, but… This one is acceptable. Try it.”

The liquor possessed the hue of mature barley ears. I swirled the straight, unadulterated liquor in my mouth without adding any ice or water.

“How do you find it?”

Hong-Yeon, brimming with excitement, queried.

“…How does it taste?”

Surprisingly, it was softer than I anticipated. The alcohol in my previous world was harsh and bitter, perhaps not to my liking, and bore a scent akin to coal.

“Not too bad. Although, it could have been a bit cooler.”
“Don’t voice uninformed opinions. It’s best consumed as is. Want to compare?”

I tried it chilled, and the aroma decreased. Hong-Yeon chuckled as I widened my eyes in amazement.

“It truly is fascinating.”

Even though nothing was added, there was a softness, and the fragrance wasn’t too overpowering. Despite this, the robust taste of alcohol remained, ensnaring my senses to the point where it felt as though the drink was beguiling my brain.

“Is this the kind of liquor in this world?”

The taste was potent enough to shatter my preconceptions about alcohol.

“We used a quality oak barrel.”
“Oak barrel, as in a woman?”
“Yes.”

Even after three years, there are still concepts that I fail to grasp.

The wooden person still functions as a piece of wood. I stared intently at the cup in my hand.

“So, this has, in essence, been inside a woman’s body?”

The wooden person, who is mindful of hygiene, lacks the musty secretions common to humans… They don’t even excrete if they wish not to.

In the past, didn’t they say wine was made by crushing grapes with feet? In this world, it is said that the beautiful feet of wooden people are used to make wine. The unique physique of the wooden people leads to a distinction in taste. It’s akin to the distinct taste of wine aged in oak barrels.

– Glug.

The taste is extraordinary.
Is this any different from a potion?

The shock was similar to when I learned that the essence of a potion was the sap of an ironwood tree.

“Still, it’s quite tasty… But if the body of a wooden woman is needed to brew alcohol, what is that drink?”

I pointed to the French Marronnier’s liquor.
Marronnier, national tree.
If that’s the brand’s name… I can’t help but wonder if the women of the Marronnier family were indeed used. I was even more curious given my knowledge of the Marronnier.

“Why do you ask?”
“No particular reason, just curiosity.”
“It’s not as you imagine, Do-won. No matter what, they would not use the body of a national tree.”
“Is that so?”

The very thought of Marronnier personally… No, the shock would be immense if alcohol brewed with their body was being distributed in the market. Hong-Yeon sipped her drink and spoke.

“Of course, there’s a specific reason why the brand carries the family name.”
“What’s the reason?”
“It is said that the Marronnier family brews their own alcohol as a family event on the eve of adulthood ceremonies. This Marronnier brand is the distillery that provides various services during that time.”
“… They brew it themselves?”
“Just a single bottle, a unique liquor in this world.”

Then, does it mean Blanche also has her own personally brewed liquor?

“It was sold once. It was a child of the family, but it sold for $560,000.”
“$560,000… that’s around 700 million won?”

“If the child was of noble lineage, perhaps the call to duty would carry a value. Even the crushing of grapes is a task I undertake myself.”

In France, the stature of the Marronnier is unparalleled.
What of idols? These are nearly godlike.
There would be many who’d liquidate their entire estate just for a taste of the god-forged wine.

I visualized a diligent Marronnier in my mind, pressing the grapes into wine.
Stripping off white tights, the image of Marronnier working hard was endearing.

“The ancient tree clans of Japan are no different. There, they create a beauty’s brew; a liquor made by mouth-chewing grains.”
“Ah, that.”
“Surprisingly, such a tradition exists. An esteemed woman carries wine brewed with her own body. Some use it as a tool for flirtation.”

An old dream of a wine connoisseur is to imbibe the wine of a beautiful woman.
Given the connection between a woman’s body and wine, there are numerous proverbs and tales.

As I was about to raise my glass, I remembered a time when Hong-Yeon had offered me wine.

“Thinking about it, didn’t you offer me a drink?”
“…….”

The day she suggested we share self-brewed peach wine.

In retrospect, that was a form of flirtation.
Hong-Yeon, glistening with perspiration, subtly avoided my gaze.

“…Do-won is a fool. You just realized it, didn’t you?”
“I was unaware.”
“That was the first time I brewed wine.”

Her first brew.

“With your body?”

Hong-Yeon nodded, her face flushing crimson.
It’s an obvious assumption, given the brewing process, but stating it aloud seemed to embarrass her.
Reflecting back, the peach wine I had tasted was remarkably clean and sweet.

“I would like to see it once.”
“What, what are you referring to?”
“The process of making the wine.”
“…….”

Seemingly flustered, Hong-Yeon patted my shoulder.

“If, if you want to see, I can show you later.”
“When the time is right.”
“When time allows… wait, Do-won, aren’t you always short on time!”

But sometimes, even I find the time to indulge in such pursuits.

“…….”

She seems miffed.
I grasped Hong-Yeon’s shoulder and gently pulled her towards me.

“Ah.”

Hong-Yeon’s face, nestled in my chest, rapidly flushed a deep shade of crimson.
She becomes so endearingly passive when interacting with me.
Despite her maturity, she lacks the assertiveness typically associated with it.

Even when I stroke and pinch her cheek, Hong-Yeon does not react.
She just closes her eyes, shivers at the corners of her mouth, and holds her breath in my arms.

These are the times when wine is needed.

“Yeon-ah.”
“…Yes?”

I held the liquor in my mouth and our lips met.
The potent alcohol flowed between her soft, cherry-colored lips.

“Ah, Do-won… gulp.”

Hong-Yeon, who swallowed the alcohol transferred from my mouth, clung to me,
Her hands gripped my shoulders as she embraced my neck.

It’s cold.

Intoxicated by the aroma of liquor, so potent that it masked their mutual body scents, they intertwined their tongues without a hint of unease. Hong-Yeon, seemingly enchanted by the taste of the alcohol, seized everything within my mouth, and despite the absence of any residue, she thoroughly lapped around with her tongue.

“Puha.”

As her mouth parted, saliva trailed down in a silken thread. The pulsating rhythm of her heart echoed to me.

“Will we proceed today, as well?”

Hong-Yeon, almost coyly, inquired while shielding her breasts. I casually untied my clothing, revealing my heated chest. I stretched out my hand to the table, seizing a glass of liquor.

“Do-won, what are you… wait, oh! It’s cold…!”

Hong-Yeon craned her neck as if querying my intentions. Caught off guard by the unexpected chill of the liquor cascading down her chest, her eyes widened in surprise. At my beckoning, her breasts gathered, creating a shallow pool for the liquor.

“Do-won, the pervert! He’s a lecher, through and through!”

The liquor, not properly contained, began to trickle down, pooling in her navel and further down, on her thighs. I commenced my exploration of Hong-Yeon’s body with my tongue.

Liquor matures within the body of its consumer. The alcohol pooled in her cleavage released a slightly peculiar aroma.

*Squelch.*

The icy touch of the liquor caused her nipples to stiffen.

“When you nibble like that… Oh…”

Gradually, I traced the path of the trickling liquor downwards. The sweetness of her navel and abdomen was richer than that of her breasts.

Nestled below her thighs, the liquor pooled near her vagina… The sugary taste of maple syrup filled my mouth.

“If one were to distill it from this body, it would indeed be quite a luxury.”

At my words, Hong-Yeon averted her gaze. Her wet, smooth, and supple body lay before me. Biting her pinky finger, her cheeks flushed, she responded.

“… I do not sell such things.”

I indulged in her without restraint.