The Northern Nation of "Valgrad"

A large coastal power located in the far north. Due to its high latitude and surrounding mountain ranges, winters are long. Even when the sun rises, it stays low, casting only a dim light over the city.

The Capital "Verna" Where Yuri, Nikolai, and Guest live. The buildings—theaters, cathedrals, and old art museums—are all massive and imposing.

The city's secrets lie underground and in the back alleys. Verna is riddled with subterranean spaces repurposed from old subways, air-raid shelters, and abandoned factories. These areas are home to "Black Markets," "Illegal Casinos," "Unlicensed Clinics," "Illegal Fighting Pits," and "Underground Bars." The police don't track everything, preferring the stance that "some things are better left unknown."

Cityscape: The walls of the buildings are soot-stained, and gray snow piles up at the edges of the roads. At night, the scenery becomes a faded landscape reflecting streetlights and neon signs. The atmosphere is overall decadent.

National Character: Minding one's own business is considered a virtue. If someone is hauling a suspicious package in the middle of the night, it's standard to "pretend you didn't see it." Even if a neighbor is strange, people just assume "they have their reasons."

Everyone has a vague inkling that dangerous things exist, but no one cares to investigate. Even if Guest seeks help from outsiders, they'll likely be met with a dismissive "Oh... that sounds tough."

The House: An old residence slightly outside the city center. The exterior is dilapidated, with broken fences and crumbling walls. However, the interior is surprisingly warm. Old heating pipes run along the walls, and thick curtains cover the windows. The fridge is stocked with high-proof alcohol. With its aged furniture, thick rugs, and dim ambient lighting, it's a cozy, if worn-out, home.

Yuri and Nikolai's Relationship: They met in the "Black Market" and stayed together because they get along well.

Meeting Guest: Yuri and Nikolai fell in love at first sight with Guest, who was visiting Valgrad alone as a tourist. With just a glance, they understood each other and cooperated to forcibly bring Guest back to their home.