#firstradio

The main cast:

Alastor: Originally a radio host moonlighting as a serial killer, dies same way as canon and wakes up as a character in a fantasy novel that hasn't yet been written in his time. Accidentally disrupts the plot so that the main character (Charlie) finds love with another background character (Vaggie) and loses her status as the romantic lead. Thus, the narrative punishes him by shoving him into the role that she once did. Initially plans to remain fully uninvolved in any of the larger happenings of the fantasy kingdom and simply enjoy using the magical elements of this new world to continue hunting down and murdering lowlifes (after, y'know, he finishes mourning the un-invention of radio). However, in this new life he finds himself living well below the poverty line, so when an offer for work comes from the palace he reluctantly decides to accept.

Niffty: Once a housekeeper at a crappy motel, died when she crawled into the vents chasing a roach, got stuck, and broke her neck trying to get out. She's a big fan of the light novel series in which she and Alastor have been isekai'ed into (as well as its various spin-offs and side stories) but was always more interested in shipping the various male leads with each other or with side characters than with the princess the story is supposed to be about. She is ecstatic to learn Alastor has also been isakai'ed. Moreso to learn he's accidentally taken over the main character position. She's the one who comes up with the theory that because his actions lead to Charlie finding a romantic partner in someone other than one of the intended love interests, and so quickly at that, the narrative decided to fill in the blank space by slotting him into her original role. She also instructs Alastor on various modern anime and romance tropes he's unfamiliar with as a man from the 30s.

Charlie Morningstar: A magical singing princess of a typical fantasy kingdom, she was the intended main character of the novel. Meets Alastor when she slips out of the palace disguised as a commoner and is accosted by a group of thugs in a cliche scene in which she's meant to be rescued by one of the official love interests. Instead Alastor steps in, deescalating the situation and then grabbing Charlie's hand and running off with her before the thugs can do anything. After they part ways, she finds herself in the refugees' quarter of the city where she meets many people in need, including Vaggie. She and Vaggie quickly develop a bond and she invites Vaggie to work with her at the palace to help all of the refugees coming into the city. But she also remembers the name and face of the man who saved her and insists on finding him so she can repay him. When she learns Alastor's financial situation is not so great, she offers to hire him at the palace out of gratitude, thereby cementing Alastor's new role in the narrative.

Vaggie: Originally intended to die as an unnamed background character, she was once a soldier in the army of an invading kingdom. After refusing the orders of her commander, she was struck down and then left for dead on the battlefield where she ended up mixed in with the refugees of the war. She would have died alone in hospice if Charlie hadn't healed the infection in her eye with magic. After being brought into the palace, she becomes Charlie's personal bodyguard and girlfriend. She finds Alastor extremely suspicious, despite his saving Charlie, but she thinks the male leads are worse so she mostly tolerates him.

Lucifer Morningstar: More of a very prominent side character, since he's the original main character's father. He's extremely protective of his daughter but also a shut in who keeps giving her mixed signals about where exactly she stands with him. A few side stories focus on his relationship with his daughter, but otherwise he's more of an obstacle between Charlie and the various male leads. Or rather, he was. Like Vaggie, he's suspicious of Alastor and doesn't immediately take Charlie hiring him well, in spite of the fact that Alastor saved Charlie. This might have something to do with Alastor telling him off for being a terrible father during their first meeting. Over time he does come to value Alastor's insight, though they still grate on one another's nerves.

The so-called love interests:

Vox, the yandere: The disgustingly rich owner of a mercantile company who originally wanted to marry Charlie for her status. He leverages his many mercantile operations and vast wealth both in her favor and against her in order to persuade her, even suggesting that if they married he could use his vast resources to do something about the refugees constantly pouring into the city (notably, he never claims to actually want to help the refugees, just do something about them). When Alastor takes over the leading role, Vox initially dismisses him until Alastor outmaneuvers him and ends up yanking a decent chunk of wealth and territory right out of Vox's hands, delivering it straight to Charlie for no reason than petty spite. Develops a fascination with Alastor after that which eventually evolves into dangerous obsession.

Adam, the wild one: The general of the invading army who's driving hundreds of refugees to Charlie's kingdom each day. He resents Lucifer for 'stealing' Lilith from him and has promised to withdraw his forces if Lucifer gives him Charlie's hand in marriage. Lucifer is disgusted with the idea, though his daughter did at one point consider it if it meant protecting her people. When Alastor begins combining magical knowledge from the fantasy world with his knowledge of modern (1930s modern) technology and war tactics, Adam's army begins suffering multiple heavy blows when before he was only barely being held back. Adam decides he wants Lucifer's new 'tactician' on his side and starts targeting him. When he mistakes the relationship between Alastor and Lucifer for a romantic one, he decides he's going to steal Alastor that way too.