A Van drove on the wrong light, almost hitting an elegantly dressed woman about to cross the street. The woman-a blonde with a mole under her left eye, who retreated just in time-barely avoiding being run over, was cussing a storm at it, as vehicle sped away.

"That was the light to stop! We were supposed to keep low profile and avoid drawing attention. The way you're driving, every cop in the ward will be after us!"

"Shut up!" the driver,a craggy faced man in his forties, barked. "Boss Uchiha wanted this done ASAP! Now be a good dog-less barking at me and more watching over our 'guest'."

The other man relented, and, grumbling, turned to their guest.

At the back of the van, was the tied and unconscious form of a teenage girl. A very pretty teenage girl…

"Don't even think of touching her!" the Driver called, "The Boss wants her unharmed, for now. If you wait, maybe he will let you have some fun with her if the negotiations fail."

Disappointed, the thug relented.

He only seen the girl for five minutes, but she really caught his eyes. There was something…olden… in the features of the chestnut haired girl, particularly in that miko outfit. The man licked his lips. Maybe to boss won't really need her afterwards?

Five minutes ago

The girl was walking on the pavement parallel to a street, returning home from her shrine, when, suddenly a van screeched to a stop right beside her, its door opened, and a pair of men, wearing masks hopped out, one holding her while the other put a strangely smelling rag to her nose, and as she fell, losing consciousness, picked her hopped back inside, and drove away, closing the door, the tires screeching on the road at the sudden acceleration.

Much later that night, in a hidden room, in the basement of a small shrine in Kyoto, a group of old men, who were the leaders of an organization in a global conspiracy, which had long influenced the world from the shadows, gathered. Their Scenario was threatened.

"You have all read the report", an old man, wearing traditional Japanese kimono made of the finest silk, started. "Our agent was ambushed and had an impromptu audience forced on him. We now have His stated intent and demands." He ended his words there, calling the others to speak with a look.

"What can we do, but see to the fulfillment of the demands given? To do otherwise would invite the wrath of a Campione."

"Exactly", another elder, dressed just as elaborately, exclaimed, "And we already have the favor and cooperation of King Godou, who is already displeased with the newest Devil King, why not point them towards each other and let the problem solve itself? That way we save ourselves from the wrath of the Seventh-the Eighth is unknown, the identity of his first slain god is unknown, and the one suspect we have to his identity is a suspected Yakuza member. I will not bow before a Yakuza Devil King."

"You fool! Are you that eager to have two Campione war over your head? The Eighth expressed intention to stay-so unless he dies, he won't leave, and Godou-sama is Japanese and would not want to leave his home. It likely won't be just one duel, but a full war-and in a war between god slayers! Do you want the Purple Giant to stomp over all of Japan, with furious Godou-sama on his tail, breaking what he sidestepped?" Others jeered at the man for the suggestion. And

"Such a thing, that two Supreme Rulers set themselves intending to stay in the same city…it needs a most delicate touch. For now, the Eighth Campione expressed interest in cooperation, and while he showed a lack of care for his senior King in our land, nor did he express direct interest for conflict. His demands so far were to keep his privacy, and to receive the same tribute his predecessor did. Both are relatively simple to accomplish. What place can there be for doubt?" another elder spoke, stroking his beard thoughtfully.

"You don't suggest recalling the Hime-Miko we sent to Godou-sama, do you?"

"Of course not!" the elder replied, looking outrage at the mere suggestion.

"It seems that our course of action is decided. We will select and prepare a Hime-Miko for the 8th ,and suspend the active search for him. Hopefully he will work with us, as Godou-sama has."

"And I presume that you have a candidate for it in mind."

"As the yet unnamed Devil King wanted to receive the same courtesy as Godou-sama has, nothing short of a member of one of the Four Families."

"But Mariya Yuri is, from a respected family, not from one of the Four!" he was countered.

"But we did send Seishuuin Ena as well, later, and she is." The elder countered.

"And which of our granddaughters do you have in mind?" another asked in a biting tone.

"After careful deliberation, I concluded that only one valid option remains. I volunteer none other than my own. She is, after all, the oldest. The Campione is reported to be in his forties, and might be insulted if we send him a child. While my granddaughter is 18. Old enough should he find the idea of a teen girl as tribute distasteful, but young enough to not insult him with what he might see as an old maid."

"And maybe she will settle down, thus saving you from the continued embarrassment of failed matchmaking attempts, right Sayanomiya?"

"Well…" the man replied wistfully,"I do want some great-grandchildren at some point. Do indulge this old man in what may be his best chance to make sure the family continues."

Godou was feeling… confused, confused and even a bit hurt and upset, with his Grandfather.

Grandma's death wasn't a recent thing, but still! It felt like grandpa Ichirou was replacing her with that Gaij-European, that European woman. Shizuka sure seemed to think so. And rent at him at length.

Grandma used to be strict on her husband, and godou thought his grandpa really needed some of that strictness, now. 'Bringing home another woman… Grandma must be rolling in her grave.'

"Do you really think so?" Erica said, appearing as if from nowhere.

" …Did I say that loud?"

" Yes, you did, it must be upsetting you to be so lost in thought."

"It's not just that, the last few days were…bad. First that Eighth appearing out of nowhere, and disappearing again, then what happened to Liliana, and now, some stranger coming to replace Grandma!"

"Is it really that bad, that your grandfather has a chance to find happiness again?" the girl asked, her tone serious, for once.

"Erica, you always say how we are to be together, talking about being my wife, right? What if you were to die, and I take another wife to replace you?" The young man angrily demanded.

Erica looked at him with a sad expression, and Godou was about to apologize, regretting the words he said unthinking, only for her to reply in a melancholic tone. "It is inevitable that I die and you outlive me-mortals, even magic knights, don't live forever, I will not enjoy the longevity all Campione have. And I would certainly hope that you will find love again after that. Loneliness is hard burden, more so on a Devil King. You especially will need the companionship. I would never begrudge you being happy."

And then her expression turned playful, as she added, " I just hope you won't replace me as your Main wife while I still live. Why, is there a new addition you have in mind for your harem?"

"Erica!" And now he was flustered.

He did feel a bit better, though.

"This is Lu Yinghua, I am to relay to you to inform King Godou that her eminence, Luo Hao, ruler of the martial realm, herby chastises her sworn little brother. She has heard of the Eighth Campione that has risen in his territory, and of his unseemly conduct towards the current ruler of that land. Should the unpleasantness not be resolved soon, she will pay a visit to set straight both of her juniors on the path of Rakshasa Raja."

Having finished delivering his warning to the voice mail, the young disciple of the second among the Devil Kings approached his liege, and bowed before her. "Your eminence, I have delivered your words."

"Well, you may now proceed to finishing the arrangements for our travel then, Young Eagle. This Luo Hao trusts that you will not disappoint."

"Thousand pardons, your eminence, but…our? Surely his majesty will heed your words and resolve the issue, now that he is informed of your displeasure, and all other interests in that land are beneath the notice of such an august personage."

"It is indeed so, however, evaluating my sworn younger brother will be accomplished better if done in person. It shall be another test to his worthiness, as well as yours. Now thank my kindness for another chance to prove yourself."

Lu Yinghua was a true master of the self, even in his young age. After all, none of the displeasure he felt, of his hopes for respite that were dashed, of the frustrating that felt as heavy as a mountain on his shoulders, were seen on his face. None of it was even hinted in the slightest bit in his posture as he bowed again before his Liege and thanked her.

Author Notes: Finally, i finished this chapter! half of it was ready for months, waiting for me to actually get the other half done. between Real Life giving me less time then usual, lack of inspiration for this fic, and more, I published this much later then I intended, and it turned out somewhat different chapter then i intended.

Here we have the incident at the start, which was almost foreshadowed earlier (for example, the speeding van that Amakasu Touma saw when he awoke after his audience with the 8th campione) will be relevant in the next couple of chapters. We then have the History Compilation Committee leadership meeting to discuss what the newest Campione 'asked' of them. From that we get another look at Godou, who had an unpleasant few days now, before ending the chapter with what will make his week even worse.

I hope you find this chapter to your liking. thanks to all who favorited, followed and reviewed. I look forward to seeing your thoughts on this chapter as well.

Reviews will encourage me to update faster!