Magician's Deathwish

Suspicions

"With this series of slaughters on our enemy nation, I will grant you the title...the 'Freezing Epitome of Devastation.'"

That is the title hoisted upon me by the king of Hystery for my continuous onslaught before he expectedly died of old age. Fueled with my own country's propaganda, the skills I have developed for 10 years was used for destruction, war, and bloodshed.

"May the frost from Hell comfort your rest," I told my last victim before inevitably freezing him in place. Every war-zone I go to was always freezing, whether it be right on the Equator or in the depths of Hell, the curse of Frost magic that I willingly dove into will always be behind me.

"Is that the last one?" Lewind asked, the red cape he wore stained with blood as he walked through the valley of corpses. The crown on his head bestowed upon him from his father wavered as he got on one knee to check on the dead body of a young adult. "This is...horrible."

"Yes." My hoarse voice could only say that much. I sheathed my own sword as I walked through the gathered piles of bodies, the scent of magic burning the bodies filled the air as the workers burned the corpses.

Right after I went back to report on the battlefield, a combustion letter was sent to me from Roger.

I heard too many whispers and felt too many stares directed at me as I walked down the roads of Hystery.

"War Criminal of the Kingdom", "Frozen Reaper", "The 8th Sin". They are all nicknames I am familiar with. The noise quieted down as I got closer to my destination, in the middle of the forest where Roger always hung out in. I'd remember the fond memories of Lewind and I going here to train with Sir Roger. Even though the skills he taught me were used for the worst. A stark contrast of his own teaching method.

Two knocks were what I only needed for a sword pointing at my neck through the door. "Are you here for another beating?" I could immediately tell from his voice, it was Roger.

"Why did you want me to come here in the first place?" I asked, pushing the tip of the sword away from my Adams apple as I walked through the door. The grey streaks in his hair only grew more as time flew by, as Roger was in his mid-forties.

"I see that your reputation has exceeded you. How is Lewind?" Roger said as he sheathed his sword back into the scabbard.

"He's doing fine. Just a bit...tired from the recent events," I said, taking a seat. "Being a king must be exhausting, huh?" Tapping my fingers on the table subconsciously, a habit of my past egoistic, energetic self? Maybe.

"True, though it will have...merits. Merits that even I cannot reach with my status, as the original...Soul Knight," He said while pouring piping hot tea into my cup. "You always complained that this tea was too bitter for you," Roger suddenly said.

A bit flustered by his comment, I forcedly swallowed the tea. "Taste buds grow, I guess. And, they're not supposed to be bitter anyway!"

Roger chuckled, "Well, that was a mistake on my half. The day after Lewind introduced me to you was when I started trying to brew tea," 

"I see, but...off-topic, why did you want me to come back here? After all this time," I asked, finishing my cup of tea.

"I see that you still finish the cup of tea a bit too fast, do you not savor the flavor? Who knows, it might taste better when you let it linger in your mouth." He said with a hint of a chuckle behind his voice.

I sighed, frustrated and impatient. "That's off topic. Why did you want to see me?" 

"Ah, wait on that thought, I need to deal with something!" He said as he went behind me. I let out a tired sigh and sipped my tea, my eyes widening. It was poison.

I heard giggling behind me, and I fell out of the chair, crawling to the door until I felt a foot on my back, pinning me against the floor. It was a witch. An ugly one at that.

"Seems like even the mightiest of warriors aren't immune inside!" She chuckled as she deepened her foot on my spine. I clenched the carpet and started to garner my energy.

"Ah, all of your groans and moans make it worth having to disguise as a disgusting man." She said, right before I had the magic I built up and pierce her on both sides of her stomach.  Blood dripped onto my back as I crawled out. If she didn't instantly die right there, she'd die from hypothermia or blood loss, one of those two at least.

I ran as fast as I could, but the longer I ran, the more the poison was kicking in. By the time I was about to reach the town, I was crawling. Until I saw a familiar figure over me. "What are you doing? Slug role-play?" It was Roger.

"I've been poisoned by a witch, quick, I need to find a cure!" I said as I clung onto his robes.

He sighed and grabbed me by collar of my shirt. "Let me inspect it." He put two fingers against my neck and channeled some energy into it. "This poison is so bad that you could almost call it a medicine. It's either this was made by a beginner witch or you're overreacting over a doctors prescription."

"Wha? I...she disguised as you, you taught me how to differentiate between you and disguises!" I said while I tried to stand up, still holding his sleeve.

"I might not be the first one to say this, but you're losing your mental. Well, to be. completely honest, I am too." He said as he put a hand on my shoulder.

I sighed, politely declining his hand on my shoulder as I looked around. This is insane, after killing witches for years who keep trying to assassinate me, a mere beginner had me crawling for my life. 

"I-I need to get back to the mansion." Before I could even start walking, Roger grabbed me by the shoulder again, stopping me from going anywhere. 

"That's not really the brightest of ideas, since the celebratory festival for the new declaration of king is about to come up tomorrow. Some political enemies might try and do some stuff while Lewind is taking that speech, plus, you're his best friend and general." He said, pulling me back into a secluded corner. 

"I wish I could argue with you right now."

"Hah, really, now?" He pursed his lips. "Weird stuff is starting to happen in Hystery, too." 

I raised my brow as I sat against a wall. "What do you mean?" 

"Aren't you informed about the recent increase in dungeon activity? As well as Lewind asking me to join a group he's forming." He explained as he kept watch of the alley.

"A group? Why hasn't he informed me of that yet?" I asked, feeling a bit suspicious.

Roger shrugged, followed with a sigh. "I don't know. He called it the 'Scouts of Hysteria', but something is off, he's not usually this persuasive about something. Like, something went over him after his father died."

"Scouts of Hysteria, huh? What's it for?" 

"For the Magician's Deathwish." 

"Don't we already have the House of Endless Nights for that?" 

"I know, that's what makes it so suspicious. But I think we should leave the talking for later. It's a bit clear now. I'll lead you to a Healer Mage and we'll be out, got it?" Roger said as he offered my hand.

I stood up with the help of Roger and slinked my arm around his shoulder for support, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I owe you." 

After coming back to mansion from the Healer Mage, I felt a bit sore and tired, yet still contemplative about what Roger had informed me about earlier today. What was Lewind up to?