Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle (魔王城でおやすみ)

Once upon a time, in a faraway land,

humans and demons lived together in harmony.

It was an era of happiness.

The long-standing rulers saw to it

that each person's life was filled with laughter.

This was the way of the United Nation of Goodereste.

Then, one day...

The Demon King arose from the abyss--

seeking to destabilize the peace within the nation.

He made a shocking proclamation to the people.

Surprise, you filthy mortals!

Guess what? I've captured your princess!

If you want her back,

surrender the rule of your land to the demons!

--Why'd ya do that? --What's wrong with you?

And with a few words, peace was destroyed.

Anger and suffering spread on behalf of the beloved princess.

No. Princess!

We pray for your safety!

Just then, the voice of a young man

rang out through the crowd.

Raise your heads, Citizens! No, seriously!

I will be your hero!

And rescue the princess from that Demon!

Remember, sir.

The road you have chosen is bumpy. Take heed.

The demon king's evil forces are mighty indeed!

Right. I'm aware of the hardships ahead. Still...

They are of little significance.

How can I fear for my own breath,

when our Princess Syalis is a prisoner of the Demon Realm,

lying in wait at the ends of the earth!

Such a passionate speaker, this one.

The people worried for their princess,

but they put their trust in the young hero.

As for the princess herself?

Well, at that particular moment...

She was confined behind the walls of

the Demon Castle prison, and her anguish was driving her mad.

I'm so bored.

There's nothing to do here but sleep.

It could be worse, I guess.

Even though I'm a hostage,

no one has tried to harm me or anything.

This does free me from the duties of my country.

The meals are also quite tasty, and I get three a day.

Problem is...

Hey, she's up!

It's impossible to get

a good night's rest in here!

No matter how much I sleep, I'm still tired!

I'm so tired of being tired from having to live here.

I could fall asleep in about ten seconds at home.

Huh?

Could it be...?

Has this sad excuse for a sack been making me sad in the sack?

So coarse and rough to the touch,

stiff to the squish as well.

That's it! I must seek to improve my bedding!

But how?

I've no way to search for cloth or stuffing.

Huh?

A miracle has been delivered.

I promise you won't die in vain. I can't sleep.

No, wait. I suppose this will be more efficient.

Hm?

Wow. It's so fluffy. Perfect.

You like it? Shall we trade?

If you'll give me your key ring,

I'll continue to brush you as long as you like.

You've gotta be kiddin'!

The human princess is walking around the castle!

Wait, she's on the loose?

Hmph.

No, no way. She's actually gone.

How'd she get outta there?

Where the heck did the guard go-- Ow!

She went that-a-way!

Which-a-way?

I don't know!

We have to find her! Right away!

Huh? What's with all the commotion?

Oh no, terrible news!

The hostage princess is at death's door or something!

What?!

The only way to save her is to bring her

brightly colored herbs--red, yellow, and green ones!

You'll conveniently find

what you need in that chest! It's all yours!

Huh?

At last!

I have what I need for a good night's sleep!

First, I simply have to spin

the demon teddy fur I extracted into yarn.

Next, I will sew these herb-dyed curtains together

with this giant quill needle.

Then fill it up with the demon's fluffy stuffy.

And presto! A luxury pillow fit for a princess!

Tis a thing of beauty!

Even the sound it makes is better than before!

Here it comes. Fatigue from the day hath taken me over.

Is it true that you allowed

the princess to escape from her cell today?

Yes, my Demon liege.

She had the whole castle up in a, uh, panic.

The princess laments while awaiting rescue.

She's become restless, and rebellious.

I can't have her roaming free in my castle.

I must speak with her at once!

Guess that's one way to do it.

Perhaps tomorrow, sire?

Just get that key back,

and don't wake her up!

Sleepy Princess in the Demon Castle.

The Nation of Goodereste mourned.

Nothing has been the same since their princess

was captured by the demon king.

Another day dawns, and still no sign of her.

Heartbreaking.

Any word from our hero?

No, I'm afraid not.

It's been five days.

Would that I could ensure her safety myself.

I pray she will not suffer injury.

Or marring upon her perfectly hydrated skin.

I slept like a royal log.

Are those sheet marks I see on my face?

I was so satisfied with my perfect pillow,

that I failed to notice the state

of the sheets in this castle.

They're just as dreadful as the pillow was!

Of course, it could also be the position in which I sleep.

And is that a crown indention I see on my forehead?

Why is it that I sleep with it on, I wonder?

Oh, yes. Because my bangs are unruly

and distracting otherwise.

I could make a headband from the silky remnants

of my perfect princess pillow!

But I can't simply wear a rag on my head,

it has to be sightly.

I'll need more tools for such an intricate endeavor.

Princess! Your nourishment!

Oh, mine eye! Our sleeping beauty awakes!

Then I believe this to be our very first cognizant encounter!

Nice to meet you!

Scissors! Scissors...

Please forgive my tardiness!

You must be ravaged with hunger!

Far be it from me to make excuses,

but my scissor fastener "thing-a-majig"

was causing quite the-- Oh!

Goodness! I suppose it was just a matter of time.

I'll have to find another way to affix them thus.

Your crown? For me? Why for?

I'll trade you... for a pair of your scissors.

These old things?

My dear, take as many as thou wilt!

Oh, what joy!

A soft and lovely crown headband!

It compliments her jawline!

Goodness.

I almost forgot I still haven't solved

the issue of my bed sheets yet.

And what am I to do with such superfluously massive scissors?

Hm?

The princess is hunting for capes, sir! She's near

the clock tower wielding an enormous pair of scissors!

Wow, this is a long hallway.

What? She must be punished!

That's mine!

This won't do at all.

No!

Where is it?

Where is the soft and silken cloak I saw earlier?

I vow to leave no cloak intact until it is found!

Huh?

Jolly good! You made the job so much easier!

Thanks for your service, Ghost Shroud!

It's been my pleasure!

Yee!

What an amazing find.