How dare you ignore the orders of the almighty ruler of Hell, Demon King Ejil?!
I sentence you to three days of imprisonment. Guards, take him away.
Demon King, have mercy!
Now, then...
The almighty ruler of Hell, Demon King Ejil,
will have to acquire these potions in person.
Activate! Transportation Magic: Quantum Bringum!
Though it consumes 90% of my mana, I have no choice.
Drugstore
In Another World
Kirio Drugstore
Today's Prescription: Part 1 Woof? Advent of the Demon King!
Wel...come?
I-Is this Kirio Drugstore?
Yes... Are you all right?
Yes, I'm fine. I traveled here from a distant land in search of new potions.
May I have one?
I see. Thank you for making the trip.
That'll be 1,200 rin per potion.
You want me to pay for them? Me?!
I don't know who you are, but yes, normally you pay for things.
He doesn't seem human.
Is he some non-human species?
Garo Ejil
Garo Ejil.
Fiendish tyrant who reigns over demonkind.
Known as the Demon King.
Demon—
You want me to pay for them? Me?
Why did he say it again? What is he, an NPC?
The Demon King is glaring at me. It's actually kind of scary.
But I can't give in to him here.
If you want them, you'll have to pay for them.
Very well. I shall allow you to offer them to me yourself.
"Drink as many as you'd like for free."
Go on, say it.
Maybe I should avoid making eye contact with him.
Pay up. No matter what you say, I expect to be paid.
All customers are equal.
He flinched.
Do you not have any money?
Of course I don't have any human money!
Hey, you! Why did you put the potion away?
Wasn't that for me?
Don't you think expecting to receive a potion for free is a bit much?
Sorry, but you'll have to leave.
Then I shall blow this shop down!
If you do that, I'll never brew potions again. Keep that in mind.
I'm sorry, I lied. I just want one.
I am Ejil. I'm known as the Demon King.
His attitude changed quick!
I'm actually pretty strong, you know.
So?
Uh, um, so...
I'm trying to make a living selling the things I make.
What do you think of someone who uses their strength and status
to threaten a guy like me for free stuff?
I think that's not very nice.
Right?
He's surprisingly meek. Maybe I was a bit too harsh.
Anyway, I'm surprised even the Demon King has morals.
Master, food is ready.
Woof?
Woof? Welcome.
W-Welcome...
Um, could you perhaps tell me your name?
My name is Garo Ejil.
I'm Noela.
Ah, Noela! Noela... What a wonderful name!
Those dignified ears, that shining silver hair,
those eyes that seduce countless males...
And that fluffy tail!
Noela, you shall be my wife.
No.
I like Master. I don't like you.
That was awfully direct...
You dare to stand in my way again, human?!
My name is Reiji.
And I'm not in your way. She just doesn't like you.
Woof.
Master, food is ready soon.
Do you think you could leave now?
W-Wait, Reiji. How about this?
If you'll give me Ms. Noela and a potion now,
I'll give you half the world once I conquer it.
What do you say?
If that were to ever happen, you'd give me half?
You must be stupid.
I'm sure your underlings would be doing all the hard work to get you there.
Don't you ever think about rewarding them?
Should you be giving me half when I've done nothing to deserve it?
Take better care of your underlings.
Yes, you're right.
No, wait!
Ms. Noela is just that valuable!
You can't have Noela. Besides, she doesn't like you.
I want a potion, and I want Ms. Noela, too!
What should I do?
Noela likes potions, too.
Huh? Is that true?
Then I'll take two potions!
I thought you didn't have the money for that.
Oh, that's right...
You forgot about that?
Damn... Damn you, human.
I'm the Demon King!
Did I just drive off the Demon King?
3 Days Later
Kirio Drugstore
What are you doing here?
How's this?
You scrounged up some money, huh?
Indeed.
I terrified some humans by telling them I was the Demon King and instructed them
to put their money in this bag.
Even the riffraff were quick to understand.
It's all small change.
Did they believe you when you said you were the Demon King?
Did you cast some kind of spell that proved your identity?
Of course not. It would've revealed my location, and someone would've come for me.
They must have trusted the kingly dignity that pours off of me.
Well, good job. They must've looked at you with pity.
No. Why?
They marveled at my dignity and were struck with fear.
Wh-Why are you looking at me like that?
This isn't nearly enough, but I'll sell you one potion, since I feel bad for you.
D-Don't do that! There's nothing pitiful about me!
How much am I short?
I'll bring the correct amount immediately!
It's fine. I feel sorry for you.
I don't need your sympathy!
I can't help but feel sorry for you.
If I accept this, that would mean acknowledging that I'm pitiful.
Master, what's the matter?
Ms. Noela, would you accept this potion of mine?
Don't need it. I have the potion I got from Master.
Poor kid! He's the Demon King,
but he couldn't afford a potion with the money he collected from humans who pitied him.
To top it off, he tried to give the potion he received out of pity to Noela,
but she rejected it.
You again, Reiji?
Do you want to take another one with you as a souvenir?
How dare you mock me? I'm the Demon King!
Why am I being treated like this?
You should gratefully accept my pity potion.
I don't want your pity potion!
What I want is a potion!
I finished my potion.
Master, make me a new one.
That's it! If I learn to make these potions,
then Ms. Noela's body and heart will be mine!
What are you suddenly smirking about?
Reiji!
What? Quiet down.
Master Reiji, please make me your apprentice.
What? Should the Demon King be bowing to me?
If your underlings saw you, I'm sure they'd be begging you to stop.
Demon King!
Sorry, can't do it.
I knew you'd say that.
Master Reiji, if you make me your apprentice, I'll give you half the world.
I don't need that.
And you shouldn't say that until after you've conquered the world.
Also, my skills aren't something I can teach.
I see. "Techniques aren't taught, they're stolen."
That's the craftsman's way.
I didn't say that. Do you really have that much time on your hands?
What a silly question.
I could come for roughly five hours four days a week.
I guess the Demon King has a lot of free time!
I shall polish your bottles.
I'm not teaching you anything.
Oh, we're busy on Saturday and Sunday.
I guess it would be helpful if you came on weekends.
That's fine! I'll find a way to make it work.
I'm pretty strict, you know.
No problem! Bring it on!
Thank you for having me!
Woof.
The tea is ready.
Oh? Who is this boy?
Woman, how dare you speak that way to the Demon King?!
I sentence you to whipping!
Is this someone I should avoid making eye contact with?
Now we won't be able to make eye contact.
What is this woman?
And that's how the Demon King became an employee of Kirio Drugstore.
I finished cleaning the bottles.
Master, what should I do next?
Well, let's see... Why don't you help Noela clean the shop?
Got it!
Mr. Ejil seems to be doing well.
Today's his third day working here.
It must be the power of love.
Ms. Noela, I shall assist you.
Don't need help.
Huh?
Ms. Noela, I'll learn how to make those potions soon.
Please wait until then.
I don't get it.
Mr. Ejil, I've made some tea. You're welcome to have some.
Woman, Ms. Noela and I are discussing work right now!
Don't interrupt us!
Hey!
Ow!
Not "woman." Call her "Ms. Mina."
Jeez. He acts like the Demon King to everyone except me and Noela.
Customer service would be a problem for him.
He's an Elaine type.
Master, I heard you use your skills to help those in trouble.
Yeah.
I'm facing a problem right now.
The Eastern 3rd Division of my army is being forced back by humans.
At this rate, one of our key positions will fall.
Could you use your skills to do something about this?
That's way too huge a problem!
I'm not a tactician, I'm a pharmacist.
I make medicines. Do you understand?
Hold on, has he forgotten that I'm a human?
Medicines...
In that case, make me a medicine that will resurrect all eight of the past Demon Kings!
I believe I'd be able to conquer the world then.
With that many Demon Kings, you'd have a civil war on your hands!
I'm not making that.
Then make me a medicine that will kill off all humans.
That'd be a weapon.
You won't make that, either?
Then I'd like to know how Ms. Noela truly feels.
What she think really thinks of me.
I'm pretty sure she tells you that all the time.
Master, Ms. Noela is what they call a tsundere!
No way!
I want to know.
Without lies, lip service, or embellishment.
Her raw feelings.
I understand the desire not to believe that's how she really feels, but...
I'd like you to make me a medicine that will allow me to hear her true thoughts.
Hear her true thoughts?
But there are some things you're better off not knowing.
Master!
No matter what she says,
you won't be disheartened, you won't cry, and you won't go berserk.
If you can promise me that, I'll make it for you.
Of course. I promise with all my body and soul!
All right.
Could you gather these materials?
The medicine requires some unique ingredients.
I shall gather them. Rather, I shall make them do it.
I'll mobilize my entire army!
Wait for me!
The Demon King's army sure has it rough.
M-Master, I've gathered the ingredients.
Good work.
Looks like you got everything.
I'm going to rest here for a bit.
You did good.
It's done!
Give It to Me Straight
Give It to Me Straight.
Allows one to hear the true thoughts of the person who drinks it.
Effective for half a day.
I guess it doesn't matter who feeds it to Noela.
Master, what is it?
Hey, good afternoon.
I made a new medicine.
Would you like to taste this delicious potion?
I would!
Smells good.
Tasty! Delicious!
Hey, Noela...
Huh?
What do you think of me?
Woof?
Master, what's gotten into you?
It works! I can hear her thoughts! Wow!
She looks confused.
I guess she can't hear her own inner voice.
Anyway, what do you think of me?
I like you, Master.
I love you, I love you, I love you!
I see! What a sweet girl!
Master!
Ejil, it's ready.
Understood.
Ms. Noela.
I am Garo Ejil, the man who will someday conquer this world.
What do you think of me?
Whatever.
She's totally indifferent!
She neither likes nor dislikes him!
In some ways, this hurts even more than being disliked!
See? I told you. She already tells you all the time.
I-I'm not done yet, Master. I-I'm just getting started.
H-How can I make you like me?
I don't know.
Become Master.
I see. You're trying to cheer me up.
No.
In other words, if I learn to make potions like my master,
then you'll learn to love me.
No.
You're telling me to do my best.
No.
Ms. Noela!
Stay away!
Someday I'll conquer the world...
He can use Give It to Me Straight, but Noela already speaks her mind,
and Ejil takes everything positively.
Oh? Mr. Reiji, is this a new flavor of potion?
I'm going to have a sip.
Wait, that's—
It's a bit sweet.
It's delicious.
Uh, yeah...
What is she going to say to me?
Oh?
Mr. Ejil, you'll catch a cold sleeping down there.
Isn't he on the clock? Why is this kid sleeping?
Her true thoughts are terrifying!
Woof!
Mina scary.
Ms. Noela, did you just call me scary?
I can hear you, you know.
I called Mina scary.
What? What about me is scary?
She's hiding behind Mr. Reiji again. Mr. Reiji is babying her, too.
These two are always getting up to crap like this.
I'm sorry! I won't baby her anymore!
Huh? What are you talking about, Mr. Reiji?
I have no idea what's going on.
I don't have time for this. I need to prepare lunch and do the laundry.
Dark Mina is terrifying!
Mina—rather, Lady Mina, why don't you take a break?
We'll handle all the household chores.
Lady Mina? But Mr. Reiji, that's my job.
Ugh, my shoulders are so stiff.
Noela, rub her shoulders!
Woof!
What's gotten into you, Ms. Noela?
Hey, that hurts. A little more to the left.
Noela!
Woof!
Oh, right there.
She's not useless after all.
That feels great.
Hold on. Why are you trying to run away?
M-Master, my shift has ended. I thought I'd leave for the day.
My aide can be quite fussy, and I'm worried about the 3rd Division.
You're not done yet.
We're going to overcome this crisis together.
Take up your position.
Yes, Master.
Temporarily Closed
The only things I know how to cook are fried rice and pot stickers!
It's delicious.
This actually isn't too bad.
Master, you did it!
What's gotten into everyone? They're acting so weird.
Thank goodness!
I definitely can't sell this.
If couples were to use this, they'd get into arguments.
Hearing someone's true thoughts all the time is exhausting.
Lip service rocks!
Closing Time
Thank you for making the trip to Kirio Drugstore again today.
Come again—
Huh?
Nothing!
Elaine, I'm coming in.
Okay. What is it, Father?
This was mixed in with my laundry.
Next Customer
H-Huh?
Illustration by: Yasuyuki