Rin the Rat: Tale of a Beloved MonsterCh37 - Judgement

CW: Explicit language, graphic violence (whipping), blood and gore, physical/mental/emotional abuse, mental illness/dissociation.

Thank you so much Toasty Marshmallows for the Ko-fis! <333  F6eODn


Despite being packed with officials and Ministers, the assembly hall is dead silent. This assembly, held in reticence, is the formal apogee to which none dare defy nor provoke.

Bound with rope and woozy from exhaustion, Rin sways upon his knees, imperial guards on either side with rifles drawn.

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The Mother slinks upon her ample throne, gilded blue-gold reredos soaring out like a pair of ostentatious wings. Three steps ascend the dais, though rarely does one approach, even with allowance.

As witnesses and relevant parties, First Lord Hwan Sun, Fifth Lord Hwan Jun, and the hunting party are brought to the fore. Crown Prince Hino Erie sits upon the lesser throne to the Mother’s right, his dais ascended by only two steps. Despite his swollen and bruised face, the prince seems relatively unscathed. PGef9N

Knowing full well how heavy his blows were, Rin suspects that magic must be involved somehow. Though the Empress refutes the existence of magic, Rin can sense much of it around the imperial family.

Perhaps he should be relieved, for if the prince had left with severe injuries, his own death would be immutable. And yet, he finds himself disappointed. Pissed, even.

“I have called this assembly to determine the fate of this man – Rin of the Slums, guest of the House of Hwan, companion to Fifth Lord Hwan Jun,” the Mother announces, her voice quiet yet resonant. She casts her eyes down to the accused, gossamer veil barely obscuring her impassive features. “According to witnesses, and from the testimony of the Crown Prince himself, you have been accused of attempting to murder one of the imperial bloodline. Is this the truth of the matter?”

“No,” Rin growls, tugging futilely at the binds around his wrist. His arms had been pulled behind his back, so kneeling in such a manner puts great strain upon them, causing the muscles to cramp and burn. Well, nothing about this situation is at all comfortable, considering how much is stacked against him. How does one fight against a world that only wishes him dead? “The truth is that the Crown Prince and his fu–his companions tried to kill me. They hunted me down like an animal and trapped me on a cliff. What I did was in self-defense.”

umMN j

“Witnesses state that you continued to beat the Crown Prince long after he had collapsed. How is this in self-defense?” Her tone is sharp, commanding.

“Are you ignoring the fact that he hunted me down like an animal?” Rin snaps, a spark of rage momentarily obscuring his sense.

“Mind your tone, cur!” Erie shouts, jerking upright in his throne. Cold blues are narrowed and glittering in pure, unadulterated hate. “You will not speak to the Mother–”

Silence.” Her voice is barely above a murmur, but it has a resonance that shakes the entire hall. The prince clamps his mouth shut and leans back in his throne, flushed in anger. The Empress continues speaking, impassionately, “Do you have proof that such an event transpired? I have statements from those present that they had been hunting a mossfur hog. You had split from the main party and the Crown Prince went searching for you, only to be attacked without provocation.” FVTNzZ

Rin grits his teeth, cheeks blanching in fury. A cardinal glow in his eye entrenches the pitch, until his glare burns bloody. The Mother shifts, subtly angling her body forward as her interest is peaked.

“Do you see, imperial mother?” Erie says, sneering at the raven’s unearthly visage. “Look at his eye! He’s not normal.”

You will be silent until I call upon you,” the Empress says, tilting her head slightly in the prince’s direction. Her impatience is clear. Erie acquiesces again, knuckles white as he grips the arms of his throne.

“They’re all lying,” Rin grits out. “Jun was also there. He can tell you the truth of what happened.” He glances to his left, where the little lord stands stiffly beside his father. iWGsvy

“Fifth Lord Hwan Jun.” The Mother calls upon him, extending a hand for him to speak.

“…yes, Your Majesty,” Jun bows deeply and when he straightens, he sways dangerously. Hwan Sun grips his son’s arm, keeping him steady.

“You are unwell?”

“I am well enough, Your Majesty.” YcJl z

“Can you confirm what the accused has stated?”

“…” Jun flits his eyes between Erie and Rin, uncertainty marring his pallid features. The raven’s heart sinks. He already knows what position Jun will take.

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“I believe there may have been a simple misunderstanding, Your Majesty,” Jun finally says, bowing his head. “Rin may have misconstrued His Highness’ meaning, and thus believed his life to be in danger. It would be understandable then, why he reacted the way he did. Your Majesty must also consider Rin’s background, growing up in the Slums of Hanjuayng where real danger is prevalent.”

Jun raises his head to give the raven a cold glare. There it is again, that look. The look of a stranger, unrecognisable. Who are you? And where is my little lord? EdA7NU

“Whether he misconstrued the Crown Prince’s meaning is irrelevant,” the Mother breathes, veil rippling with the gentle puff. “Do you know what we do with those who raise a hand against the imperial family?”

Rin tightens his jaw, teeth creaking from the pressure.

“You are aware that you face death,” she continues, glaring at the maddened Rat.

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

“Y-Your Majesty.” A hesitant voice chirps from the crowd. Lord Cillian Coha, bows furtively to the Empress. “I should like to place my testimony forward if I may. It is just as Rin says. Though I do not condone his harming the Crown Prince, his actions were justifiably in self-defense. I do not think it warrants his death, Your Majesty.” MS1IC0

“Tbe jmmerf atf Jgbkc Uglcmf bo atlr vfqibgjyif jma?”

“…P vlv cba jugff ab qjgajxf lc atf teca, Tbeg Zjpfras. Pa lr cba jc jmmerjalbc yea atf rlwqif ageat.” Jliiljc rtglcxr ecvfg Sglf’r uijgf, yea tf wjlcajlcr tlr rajcmf. “Ktlr lr…cba j gjgf bmmeggfcmf, Tbeg Zjpfras. P atbeuta…sbe kfgf jigfjvs jkjgf bo Llr Llutcfrr’ jmalbcr.”

Coha,” Erie warns in a low tone, risking the Mother’s ire.

“I apologise, Your Highness,” Cillian bows to the prince with a hard grimace. “But I cannot stand by idly when a man’s life is threatened.” 8lech7

“And when my life was threatened? What did you do then?”

“I aimed my bow at Rin, Your Highness.”

“Your Majesty,” First Lord Hwan Sun raises, “I must remind you of our conversation. There is further evidence of the boy’s…capabilities, which you may wish to review before making your decision.”

The Mother leans back at the Governor’s words, steepling her fingers in consideration. g2DvGB

Capabilities? What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Rin licks his lips nervously and sweeps his gaze around the hall. His anxious eye catches on goldens. Jun’s staring at him, appearing half-dead on his unsteady feet with turmoil wrought upon his visage.

Rin’s heart clenches in concern. How could he stay pissed at the guy when he’s so sick? Easily, Rin thinks savagely, tearing his gaze away. He can easily stay pissed because he’s justified in his anger. And yet, he remembers the reason for Jun’s uncharacteristic animosity and he’s suddenly back to fretting over the man’s wellbeing.

“In consideration of the testimonies from Lord Cillian Coha and Fifth Lord Hwan Jun, as well as the support from First Lord Hwan Sun, I shall decree thy punishment as thus.” The Mother raises her hand, gazing down at the Rat with hooded eyes. Even through the veil, the power of her stare is crippling. “For harming one with imperial blood, ten lashes. For thy blatant insolence,one lash. Eleven lashes will be delivered here and now as punishment. The assembly will bear witness. If the gods are benevolent enough to let thee live through this sentence, then thy transgressions shall be forgiven.”

The assembly erupts in shocked murmurs, Ministers and officials in clear disagreements with what they consider a ‘light’ sentence. Despite this, everyone knows that one lash is enough to keep a healthy man down for a few days. Eleven would lay him out for an entire month. Vkdg4Q

Rin feels numb. To be punished in front of all these people is pure humiliation. These High District assholes see him as less than human. Mere entertainment. The prospect of undergoing such degradation is unbearable.

The only territory he can claim on his own body is his back – the scar that he treasures more than any other part of himself. And they want to take that away from him. Then truly, his body, his flesh, would no longer belong to him. There would be nothing left.

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“Your Majesty, please allow me to take Rin’s punishment in his stead.”

The hall falls silent. pNgomz

Every pair of eyes swivel to the owner of the voice, who steps forward and drops to his knees before the dais.

Jun kowtows, pressing his brow upon the floor as he implores.

Rin stares wide-eyed, disbelief wiping his mind blank.

“Jun, you needn’t do such a thing–” Hwan Sun starts sharply, before quickly remembering himself and clicking his jaw shut. m7rc3R

“Your Majesty,” Jun says, tone sonorous and austere. “I will take the eleven lashes in Rin’s stead. He is my companion. It is only fair that I be punished. This world is new and unfamiliar to Rin – however, I have spent half my life in the Blue Plains. Yet I allowed His Highness to become injured. I am the one who should be punished, Your Majesty, not Rin.”

“Jun–” Rin starts, drunkenly, “little lord…y-you don’t have to do this…”

The Mother raises her hand, calling for attention. “Fifth Lord Hwan Jun has made an appeal to his Empress. No-one else need interfere.” She turns her attention to the bowed figure of the young lord, a smile evident in her cool tone. “It is a lost custom for the lord to take punishment in his vassal’s stead. Verily, I had not expected to see such a request during my reign.”

“Your Majesty.” 0w9aT7

“You are an honourable man, Hwan Jun.”

“I am simply doing what is right.”

“Imperial mother,” Erie interjects, urgently. “Allow me to decide on mine own companion’s punishment. I shall be emperor in due time, which means I must know how to administer discipline. Doth thee not concur?”

Temper soothed by her son’s formal plea, the Mother takes a moment to contemplate his words. Finally, she gives a short nod of assent. “Very well, Crown Prince. Show me how thee would discipline thy vassal.” DG5NUX

Erie smiles and bows his head in thanks. When he gazes down at Jun and Rin, the latter notices a sadistic glint in those royal blue eyes.

“Fifth Lord Hwan Jun. As my royal companion, you have served me well. Since you are of the House of Hwans, a loyal line who has long served the imperial family for generations, I must take your fealty into consideration. You are thus sentenced to five lashes for your vassal’s transgressions. These lashes must be delivered by your vassal, for your punishment is in lieu of his. For every lash not delivered to the full extent, an additional lash must be delivered. You will also be required to ride with me during my first campaign and act as my liegeman and personal guard.”

The prince smirks at Rin’s face, contorted and twisted in uncontrollable fury. Jun simply kowtows to Erie and says, “Your humble servant accepts, Your Highness.”

There is no word nor reaction from the Mother, who seems content to allow her son to take over the sentencing. Hwan Sun, on the other hand, stands slightly hunched and wan. RjOnmo

Jun,” Rin squeezes out, panting as he feels the madness encroach in his periphery. “Why now? You…you fucking idiot!

“Guards,” Erie commands, gesturing to Rin, “unbind him and give him a whip.”

Chrysanthemum Garden.

Very quickly, Rin finds himself swaying on his feet, with a brutal looking whip with knotted strips of hard leather forced into his hand. The guards have ahold of Jun’s arms, keeping them raised and cuffed. The lord’s robes have been yanked down to his waist, exposing a broad, well-defined back.

His skin is flawless. How clear and fine it is. DMNWAX

And Rin is about to ruin everything. Lay strike after strike upon that beautiful back until the little lord is as scarred as he is.

The Rat can only spread suffering, wherever he goes.

Nausea rises in Rin’s gullet. The whip tumbles from his numb hand, clattering to the ground.

Pick it up,” Erie orders sharply. “Pick it up now or the sentencing will be doubled.” 3tYbRM

The raven shudders and snatches up the whip, torrid fire blasting through his very core. “Why are you doing this?” He can barely manage a whisper, but he’s loud enough to be heard. “I thought Jun was your friend. Rock to the earth, unmoving and eternal – remember?”

“You are to blame for this,” the prince says, curtly. “If Jun must blame anyone, it is you. He is taking your punishment, Rat. You made your choices, you acted without influence. This is the consequence you must face. That Jun must endure.”

You hunted me down--”

And you harmed the Crown Prince of the Eastern Empire!” Erie’s shout cracks like thunder, ringing through the hall with spine-chilling power. “Be thankful that you will not be sent to your death. For whatever unfathomable reason, the gods indeed favour you.” sBb 6x

“Rinnie.”

The raven jolts and stares at the ailing lord.

Jun turns his head, revealing a strained profile. He gives Rin a faint smile over his shoulder, goldens dull and tired.

“I will be fine. It is only five lashes.” Jun’s words are weak and shaky. He looks on the verge of collapse. When did he get so sick? “Please, Rinnie. Do as His Highness commands. Remember, hit hard.” UhCAKu

The youth trembles, joints popping as he squeezes the whip between his hands. He wants to vomit. “I want the eleven lashes,” he rasps, heart stuttering. “Y-Your Highness. Give me the eleven lashes. You said it yourself – this is all my fault. I am to blame for everything. So…so I’ll take what I deserve.”

Erie’s smirk widens, blues gleaming in delight. “I have made my judgement. Five lashes, Rat.”

Look at him,” Rin seethes. “He’s sick. Really sick. You say five lashes, but he won’t be able to handle even one. Is this what you want?”

“Six lashes. That’s six lashes you must now deliver, Rat.” OV5D4S

Rin’s bloody glare flares, his own pounding pulse drowning out his apprehension.

“Rinnie, please!” Jun exclaims, baring his skin moreso.

Story translated by Chrysanthemum Garden.

“Should I make that seven? Fine – seven it is. Ah, you’re glaring at me so fiercely. I can easily raise that to eight–”

A sharp cry of pain bursts from the lord’s mouth as he arches his spine, a bloody stripe painted diagonally across his back. U01lk6

The Rat sends another lash upon the lord’s back, creating a gory cross upon that beautiful skin. A fierce ache throbs in his chest. The roar of his own blood fills his ears. Only Jun’s agonised voice penetrates his cognisance.

Another lash. Another horrendous, broken cry.

“You are not using your full strength,” the prince says, brusquely. “That’s another lash added.”

Jun stifles a groan as he sags in the guard’s grips, his head hanging low. Rivulets of blood trickle from the gashes, vivid against his tan skin. dzto4T

“I used my full strength!” Rin shouts, face white with fury. “Don’t you see how much he’s fucking bleeding?!”

Erie sighs, reclining in his throne. “Shall I add another one?”

The raven heaves, hands shaking so badly he can barely grip the whip. With his vision misting over, he tries again. This time with twice as much strength than before.

The whip makes an ear-splitting crack. Jun groans and he bucks in pain, but his agonised motions are restricted by the guards. tmNd3k

“Another lash! Another lash!” Erie shouts, sadism pitching his voice.

Another strike, this time the crack reverberates and rattles in everyone’s skulls. Open wounds flayed moreso by the leather strap sends flames through Jun’s flesh. A gut wrenching scream follows.

Rin stops feeling. An empty smile tugs at his blood splattered face. That crimson stare is wild and unhinged – it’s a look not generated by a human, but something unearthly.

Suddenly, he starts delivering strikes with brutal, inhuman strength. The whip flies, faster, harder, with such savagery and ruthless power, blood splattering like scattered rain, and Jun is silent, unconscious, hanging limply between the guards, and yet Rin continues throwing the whip, CRACK CRACK CRACK– KMPZ4w

They all stare at him with wide-eyed horror, unable to fathom the gory scene before them.

Even Erie is thrust into shock. He’s pale, trembling, voice caught in his throat as he watches the Rat exert his brutal obeisance.

S-stop!” he shouts, “stop it at once! You are killing him–

The Mother raises her hand to the prince, silencing him. “This is the punishment you have decided,” she says, coolly. “You will endure as they must endure. That is your duty.” w6rUfx

“But imperial mother–”

Endure.”

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And so he does, worrying his lip as Jun’s back becomes increasingly mangled with every cruel strike.

Upon delivering the final lash, Rin throws the whip to the ground. He staggers back, drenched in sweat and Jun’s blood. His red eye rolls, wildly, blindly. Drops to his knees with little to no awareness. 0AftS9

Zev and Hwan Sun move to the unconscious lord’s side, checking his condition.

The assembly snaps back into life. Shocked murmurs ripple through the crowd, judgmental glares cast upon the dazed Rat.

–savage! I have never seen anything like it!

Who is that beastly man? Why does Hwan Sun keep him around? pkvGd3

There is blood everywhere! It’s grotesque–

He seemed to enjoy it. Did you not see the smile on his face?

What a horrible creature! How did such a character become the fifth lord’s companion?

What is he doing? Is he going to attack us? Q2q1cd

Have you seen his face?

Only a monster could do such a thing–

Rin shivers as he slowly returns to his senses, crimson eye darkening to its usual hellebore pitch. Acerbic voices drop to a quiet buzz as he drags himself to his feet. Limbs hang like dead weights and shoulders hunch as if he were carrying a boulder upon his back. He stares dully at the Mother and the Crown Prince, feeling as though he were watching himself from a distance. His body feels not his own.

“You did well,” the Mother says, smiling genially at the raven. “When Fifth Lord Hwan Jun recovers, he will ride with the Crown Prince to reclaim Reshun. I will thus consider your transgressions satisfactorily addressed.” She rises elegantly, robes falling to her feet like a lustrous azure waterfall. AzTDEs

Every member of the assembly drops to their knees in perfect synchronisation and kowtows to the Mother.

“The assembly is dismissed.”

And as the hall empties, a lone figure remains behind, sitting dumbly in a pool of blood not his own. His eye flutters close and he lets himself disappear. At least for a brief moment.

XaWjYz

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6 comments

  1. I wanted soooo much that Rinnie whipped these bastard instead… “sorry i’m too weak my hand slipped”

  2. I don’t think words can express how much i hate them (´ . .̫ . `)

    Thank you for the chapter!! ❤️❤️

  3. … Rinnie. Wahhh let me RIP, this chapter hurt more than I expected. ;; Thank you for another chapter.