Somewhere else in the galaxy...
Far beyond Nitchtron.
Planet Luve
Sunset settled over Loop City, bathing its streets beneath a sea of amber and gold. Twilight transformed the city into something almost dreamlike, where the elegance of an old European kingdom intertwined with the wonders of a distant future. Towering clock towers pierced the clouds like ancient cathedrals, while stone bridges stretched across crystal canals where graceful vessels drifted silently over the water. Above them, enchanted carriages floated through the evening sky, their glowing trails fading into the horizon.
It was a city where history had never been abandoned.
It had simply learned to coexist with tomorrow.
Far beyond the city's beauty, where the sea erased every trace of civilization, stood an island forgotten by the world.
Or perhaps...
It was never the island anyone remembered.
Only the castle.
An enormous castle consumed nearly the entire island, its colossal walls stretching from one shoreline to the other as towering spires disappeared into the clouds. From afar, the fortress resembled a grin made of weathered brick, its battlements curving into a sinister smile that watched over the sea as though the island itself had grown a face.
The world had continued to change.
The castle...
Had simply remained.
Inside the castle, footsteps echoed through the massive corridors. Candles lined the ancient stone walls, their flames dancing across a long crimson rug stained by years of dust and neglect.
A man walked alone, quietly humming to himself as though he hadn't a single worry in the world.
He was tall and lean, carrying himself with effortless elegance. Long wavy blond hair spilled past his shoulders beneath a black fedora adorned with a small golden skull pin. His eyes were hidden behind a white blindfold wrapped around his face, making it impossible to tell whether he was blind or simply choosing not to look. Behind a calm smile rested unnaturally sharp fangs, more fitting for a vampire than a man, while a jagged crimson tattoo stretched across his left hand and forearm like a scar carved into flesh.
He wore a tailored black three-piece suit over a black dress shirt, an orange tie providing the only vivid color in his attire alongside a neatly folded pocket square. Draped over his shoulders rested a luxurious black fur-lined overcoat that hung like a king's mantle.
Everything about him spoke of wealth.
And absolute confidence.
He stopped before a pair of towering doors that slowly creaked open, revealing a vast hall where more than a dozen people already waited.
Among them stood three figures impossible to ignore.
The Birmingham Triplets.
Supreme leaders of the Long Whistlers, one of Planet Luve's most feared Demon factions.
Towering well over six feet with slender, regal builds, the three Luvenians looked almost identical. Their dusky rose-pink skin, bald heads, pointed ears, and swaying tails gave them an unmistakably alien appearance. Each wore elegant black attire adorned with gold jewelry, while long bubblegum-pink beards were braided with rings and gemstones. Only their eyes distinguished them—one violet, one dark green, and one crimson.
Duke.
Dutch.
And Drew.
"Oh, well... look who's finally here."
Drew smirked, his hands tucked casually into his pockets.
The rest of the room turned toward the newcomer. An uneasy silence settled over the hall as a familiar chill crept down their spines, leaving them with the unsettling feeling of standing before a man who should not exist.
"You're late again..."
Dutch lowered his pocket watch before lifting his head.
"...Giovanni."
A grin slowly spread across Giovanni's face.
"I do apologize for my tardiness. I happened to run into a few inconveniences that delayed my arrival." he said, offering them a courteous gesture of apology.
Duke regarded him for a moment before speaking.
"And what kind of inconveniences would those be, if I may ask?"
Giovanni smiled as though the answer were insignificant.
"Oh, nothing worth troubling yourselves over. The matter has already been taken care of."
Duke let out a quiet sigh.
"Giovanni... I think you understand that what we're doing here isn't child's play .This operation carries tremendous risk, and if anything goes wrong, it could end badly for every person standing in this room."
He took a step forward, his tone remaining calm despite the seriousness behind his words.
"So I hope you can understand why it concerns me when the partner I'm expected to trust keeps arriving late because of... inconveniences."
The atmosphere inside the hall grew tense. Giovanni bowed once more, crossing one leg behind the other as he lowered himself with theatrical elegance.
"I understand your concerns completely. I know my behavior hasn't been the most professional lately, and for that I sincerely apologize."
He remained bowed for a brief moment before lifting his head again, his smile as composed as ever.
"However, I can assure all of you that our cruiser remains on schedule. Nothing has changed, and the auction will take place here as agreed upon."
The Birmingham Triplets exchanged a brief glance.
Then Drew chuckled and walked over to Giovanni, casually throwing an arm across his shoulders.
"Ah, c'mon now brothers. Lighten up a little." He looked back at his brothers.
"There's no reason to doubt him yet. Giovanni created this entire operation, and he has delivered on every promise he's made. Without him, we would never have found the Heart of God."
He paused before looking at Giovanni from the corner of his eye. His smile remained, but the warmth behind it disappeared.
"I'm confident he understands exactly what's at stake..."
"...and what happens if this goes south."
Giovanni gently removed Drew's arm from his shoulder without the slightest hint of offense.
"Of course."
After straightening his coat, he smiled once more.
"After all, I'm a businessman. I understand the risks involved in every investment I make, especially one as ambitious as this."
His energy suddenly brightened as he stepped forward and spread his arms toward everyone gathered in the hall.
"What we're about to witness won't simply become another historical event."
"It may become the greatest turning point in history."
"The day someone lays their hands on the Heart of God..."
"...is the day the future of our galaxy falls into someone else's hands."
Dutch frowned.
"I'll admit... I'm still not entirely convinced."
He folded his arms.
"Why not simply keep it for ourselves?"
Giovanni lowered his arms. His smile disappeared, leaving behind a still expression that was difficult to read.
"Where would be the fun in that?"
The smile returned as effortlessly as it had disappeared.
"I have already told you gentlemen that I am a businessman. Money will always come before power, regardless of how extraordinary that power may be. I refuse to allow my hunger for strength to blind me to the true value of what we possess."
Silence lingered throughout the hall.
The Triplets still had their doubts.
But none of them could deny one simple fact.
Everything they had accomplished...
Had begun with Giovanni.
He looked at the three brothers one last time before turning toward the corridor.
"You'll each have your opportunity to acquire it."
"But until then..."
"We continue our preparations."
The four men began walking through the vast hall together, their conversation gradually fading into the distance.
—
Planet Earth
European Continent — Country of Le Rose
A gray sky stretched over the coastline as fierce winds battered the shore. Waves crashed relentlessly against the cliffs where a massive brick mansion overlooked the sea, standing alone beneath the storm as though it had weathered tragedies long before this one.
Inside, the mansion had become a crime scene.
Emergency lights flickered across the halls, illuminating shattered glass, overturned furniture, and bodies scattered throughout the estate. Expensive paintings had been torn from the walls, blood stained the marble floors, and every room carried the same heavy silence that followed a massacre.
Investigators moved carefully through the mansion, photographing evidence and collecting whatever little remained.
Among them...
Hope.
Earth's greatest Fighter.
The crimson and blue lights reflected across Hope's white armor, washing it in shifting colors before the polished plates returned to their pristine brilliance. Against the bloodstained halls, the armor looked almost untouched by the horror surrounding it. No one called for silence, yet voices naturally faded as the Archangel walked past, leaving only the echo of his footsteps through the ruined estate.
"Sir, we've finished searching the entire premises."
Hope turned his attention toward him.
"There's no sign of the suspect," the investigator continued. "It looks like he escaped before we secured the area."
Hope stood quietly for a moment before lifting his gaze toward the ceiling.
"I see."
His voice was calm, almost absent-minded.
"...Though I can still feel the weight of his presence."
The investigator followed Hope's gaze. The ceiling above them was splattered with blood, and despite everything already surrounding him, an uneasy feeling settled in his stomach.
"There is something else, sir."
Hope looked back at him.
"We found Agent Nona..."
The investigator hesitated.
"...She's gone."
A brief silence passed between them.
"I know."
Hope answered gently.
"I can take you to her."
Hope gave a small shake of his head.
"Thank you."
"I know where she is."
Without another word, he walked toward the staircase.
The third floor, especially the end of the hallway, was noticeably quieter than the rest of the mansion. The office had already been sealed off, and forensic teams worked in silence while cameras flashed around the body lying in the center of the room.
Hope stepped through them before kneeling beside her.
"I'm sorry this happened to you, Nona."
Half of her face was missing. One eye had been reduced to a hollow cavity, as though something had erupted from inside her skull.
Hope remained beside her for a moment.
When he finally stood, his eyes settled on the banners hanging from the far wall.
His expression didn't change.
Neither did his posture.
Yet the room somehow felt quieter.
Several investigators looked toward him without understanding why.
Hope simply stared at the insignia embroidered across the black banners.
Casa Nostra.