Chapter 4: The Rich

"So, can we talk about this a little bit?" Maybe we can plan this thing step by step and think thoroughly about it," Zin pouted. In his hand, he played with a black feather that he had just pulled out of his hair in frustration. "I get it; he’s a special person." But why should we interfere and turn down such a yummy deal?"

"Shut up, Zin. You’re talking too much again."

"I mean, come on! We usually just sit back and watch the entire world crumble as it burns into ashes, then have fun with all the energy we gain from all the bad deeds. Can we enter the equation afterwards? Save the pretty deity afterwards, you know?"

Derrick’s glare was too sharp for Zin to handle. He immediately sat straight and closed his huge mouth before gulping. Just by looking at him, his poor follower knew that he definitely said something really bad.

"She’s been through enough, can’t you tell?" The devil shook his head before clearing his throat. "Haven’t you heard what I proposed to her?" I asked her to be my bride."

"I really did not understand that idea of yours," he said, wishing he had never said anything. The cold hand on the back of his neck was a warning.

"That woman, I want her to know that she could depend on me and trust me in order to benefit us both in the future." He said each and every single word with such emphasis. "Also, could you please remind me why you keep on questioning my decision?" Since when were you permitted to do this?"

"Your new place looks amazing, by the way!" Have I told you that?"

The cheeky boy was able to change the topic and stood up to look around the new mansion that his master just got. He could still remember how the previous owner almost lost her mind when Derrick offered her double the amount of money to immediately get this place. It’s huge. Zin can already tell that he’ll get lost in this place in no time.

From the elegant-looking carvings on the wooden doors to the luxurious-looking tiles on the floor and the furniture that matched the old-money aesthetic, he’s loving it all. But Derrick did not seem as entertained and excited as he was. All the devil really wanted was a place to stay during his visit on land. The first thing that he required was a place near Lyra. Second, he really wanted a place that was secluded from the other houses, and luckily, his yard was spacious enough for that. The place was usually rented out for special occasions like weddings and parties! He bought it like it was a piece of candy when he saw one thing, and that was a small detail on the gates. When he saw the tiny infinity symbol engraved on the side of the gate, he wanted it. Zin was confused. To him, it looked like a very weird thing. He even thinks that someone might have vandalized it. It did not look like it was supposed to be there. But if Derrick wanted it, who would dare stop him?

"How are we going to clean this whole place?" Zin asked, thinking that it was a harmless question. But when the evil grin on Derrick’s face grew, he gulped for the nth time.

"I see," he continued. "Let me rephrase that. "How am I going to clean a place this big?"

"That sounded like something I did not need to stress about."

"Yeah, I know," Zin replied. "You bought a ten-million-dollar mansion for twenty dollars within ten minutes. "I did not think you’d be trying to stress about anything at all."

"Were you trying to say something?"

"The pretty goddess!" He was smart with that subject change. "What do you need me to do?" I can help with whatever the heck your plan was."

Derrick stood up and headed over to the huge glass window. At the fifth level, he can already see so much of the town. It was amazing. All the houses, the small cars on the streets, and so many motorcycles crisscrossing, dancing through the civilians walking without minding the traffic.

"How does this world operate?" he whispered. "In order to protect her here, I should become someone."

"Become someone?"

"Down there, I have all the power in my hands." I was able to do something because I was above everyone else. "In order to do that here, what do I need?"

Zin excitedly raised his hand from behind; a feather popped straight up from his scalp like it was his little light bulb.

"I’ve seen this world in person much more than you have. "I am pretty sure I know what you can do!"

"Talk."

"In this world, the people bow down to whoever has more money." The more money you have, the more respect you get. "And if you become one of the richest ones in here, you will easily be the king."

Money was never the problem, Zin. "Money is the root of all evil; how much do you think the devil would be broke?"

"That’s not what I meant! You have money, yes. We know! But the world has no idea."

It took Derrick a second before an evil smirk appeared on his face again. His eyes burned with passion just by thinking of what he should do.

"I could tell, you have something in mind."

"I do," Derrick responded. "Zin, could you help me count all the money we brought?" He snapped his fingers and turned to look at Zin. "I’ve put them on the first floor."

Zin quickly ran. He jumped, and as soon as he was in mid-air, he turned into a black bird. The huge raven flew all the way down to the first level.

Once Derrick reached the floor, he saw how Zin’s jaw almost hit the ground with surprise. In front of them, tons of money were stacked on top of each other. Half of the living room was covered with cash, and there were little boxes by the walls too. Zin could imagine filling maybe two to three moving trucks with all the money.

"Please tell me that this is all the money you have."

"I don't think so," Derrick casually said.

"Wow! Some evil people would rather just die with their wealth than let anyone benefit from it all, huh? "This is insane!"

"I guess."

The devil walked out of the door without looking back.

"Wait! Where are you going?"

"To her," he responded. "She’s crying again."