Martini, Alfredo
- Gender
- Male
Summary
As the founder and inaugural leader of the Black Brothers, Alfredo maintained a close bond with Romeo, who was his best friend. Born into nobility as the sole son of Viscount Vittorio and Viscountess Patrizia Martini, and the elder sibling of Bianca, Alfredo cherished literature and enjoyed a serene upbringing at the Martini mansion in Piedmont alongside his sister. This tranquility was shattered when their relatives, Maurizio and Grazela Martini, consumed by jealousy over the Martini medal and other family treasures, arsonistically destroyed their home. During the blaze, their parents perished, but Viscount Vittorio managed to pass the sacred medal to Alfredo before his death. The siblings escaped the inferno, only to be pursued by Maurizio and Grazela, who framed them for the tragedy and turned the police against them. A month after the fire, the exhausted siblings, unable to continue traveling, rested in a farm village where they were rescued by a local farmer. Soon after, Luini, known as the "God of Death," arrived in the village. To ensure Bianca’s safety, Alfredo signed a contract with Luini and departed for Milan to work as a chimney sweep, leaving his sister behind in the care of the farmer. On his journey, Alfredo encountered Romeo, who had been falsely accused of apple theft by a vendor named Tonio. Alfredo cleared Romeo’s name with proof, sparking a lifelong friendship. Upon reaching Milan, the "God of Death" sold the two boys to their respective masters. Alfredo was purchased by the cruel owner Citron, while Romeo was separated from him. Before parting, the friends swore eternal loyalty to one another. Alfredo endured severe neglect and abuse under Citron, often starving because his wages were spent on alcohol, and suffering physical violence from his master. Alfredo and Romeo eventually reunited in Milan, where Alfredo proposed the creation of a fraternity to support chimney sweeps. With the help of other sweeps, they formed the Black Brothers, and Alfredo was unanimously chosen as their leader. He earned the deep respect of his nakama for his intelligence and courage, leading the group to victory in two major conflicts against the Wolf Pack at San Babila Church and Sempione Park. Under his guidance, the Black Brothers also facilitated Countess Isabella Montovani’s acceptance of Angeletta as her granddaughter. The threat from the Martini relatives resurfaced when Maurizio and Grazela tracked Bianca to Milan, capturing her to force Alfredo to surrender the medal. Romeo and the Black Brothers rescued Bianca and brought her to San Babila Church for a reunion with Alfredo. During this meeting, Alfredo collapsed from tuberculosis, a diagnosis by Dr. Casella that Alfredo secretly understood to be fatal. Accepting his impending death, Alfredo entrusted Bianca to Dr. Casella and sought to clear his and Bianca’s names. With assistance from the Black Brothers, the Wolf Pack, and Countess Montovani, he met the King of Italy at a banquet. Alfredo proved his lineage by presenting his father’s medal, which bore a benediction mark from Carlo Alberto of Sardinia, thereby convincing the monarch of their innocence regarding their parents' murder.
