Episode 155 side story: Sleeping Princess and Bride Road - The Saga of Lioncourt

Today, February 9th, my book "Lioncourt Chronicles 2" has been released. Everyone who purchases it will receive a special side story through the QR code on the band. Please do share your thoughts on it. Other information will be summarized in the activity report. --- In the depths of the mountains known as Elwayne lies the tale of the nation of Parson. In days of old, the kingdom boasted of two great prides: the mighty King Niall and the noble, beautiful Princess Kiara. King Niall waged war against neighboring countries and emerged victorious in all, becoming the ruler of all Elwayne. To celebrate his triumph, he gathered the people of the kingdom for a banquet. However, among them was the malicious witch Marija, harboring a grudge for her defeated husband. During the feast, the witch approached Princess Kiara and placed a curse upon her, turning her to stone. Instantly, the princess hardened like rock and fell into a deep slumber. The once lively feast grew cold as if a flame had been extinguished, and the kingdom was enveloped in sorrow. Enraged, King Niall attacked the witch's land, but his soldiers became lost in the forests due to an evil magical fog, unable to reach their destination. Desperate, the king declared, "Whoever lifts Princess Kiara’s curse and defeats the witch shall be granted her hand in marriage." Though heroes from across the land answered the call, not a single one could traverse the fog. Despairing, King Niall lamented that no one could defeat the witch, and the people's tears flowed like rivers. Then, after a year and 40 days, a noble knight from a distant land appeared. The knight, upon hearing of Princess Kiara's beauty during his travels, had longed to meet her, and rushed to aid upon learning of her plight. King Niall was astonished by the knight’s grandeur, for he possessed the noble radiance of silver and the robust stature of iron. "King Niall, I shall break the curse upon the princess and vanquish the witch," vowed the knight. Kneeling before the sleeping Princess Kiara, he prayed to the Divine Heavens and kissed the back of her hand. Instantly, the knight’s faith dispelled the wicked curse, awakening Princess Kiara. Fearing the power of God, King Niall converted to the teachings of the Divine Heavens and granted permission for the knight and the princess to wed. However, the knight declined, stating, "I have yet to fulfill my vow of defeating the witch." The knight mounted his horse and rode towards the witch's castle, only to be stopped by the cursed fog. But just as he was at a loss, the fog began to clear as if guiding him. The knight continued on, defeating the witch, and returned to the castle. There, he found Princess Kiara in prayer to the divine. The God of the Divine Heavens had heard the pure maiden’s prayer and repelled the evil magic. The knight revealed himself as Varian, King of Lioncourt, and proposed marriage to Princess Kiara. He promised, "I shall pave the way to welcome you to our land," and returned to Lioncourt. As promised, King Varian opened the path to Parson and returned for Princess Kiara in the season of blooming white lilies— "And so the path tread by these two to Lioncourt became what is now known as the Bride's Highway." At the New Year’s banquet, a bard concluded his song praising the faith in the Divine Heavens and Kiara by doffing his hat and bowing. I placed a few silver coins into his hat and complimented, "Well done." In truth, 'The Foreign Princess,' as Kiara was known, was beloved by the people of Lioncourt for her charming yet tomboyish nature. Thus, songs and stories inspired by her are frequently created. Though Kiara herself doesn’t quite grasp their meaning, she claps with joy, and this unrestrained innocence is likely part of her appeal. However, my family, particularly the children, had mixed expressions upon hearing the song. "Why would the king go on an adventure?" "It's strange he didn’t reveal who he was from the start. He must’ve been up to something bad." "He must've done something indecent to sleeping Kiara." "Father's definitely odd." The children whispered among themselves, though I had neither orchestrated nor sung it—oh well. For the record, King Niall didn’t convert. He still vigorously offers sacrifices to the deity known as Tianngli, if you ask me. At the banquet, Kiara attentively tended to her mother, Lucienne, while the robustly grown Sumina sociably entertained the guests. Belle sat off to the side with a haughty air. This is the balance of our family. The foreign princess laughed joyously with her mother. --- How did you find this release celebration project? I’ll conclude it here. Please also support my ongoing series "The Strongest General of the Demon Lord's Army Retires! The Dungeon Was Actually a Giant Power Plant (?)."