🎀 Wisteria 🎀

work for shady characters and make villainous quest decisions

Well, my character probably wouldn't agree to that either; Alex described him quite accurately. Unless evil heroes are summoned, or someone from the party convinces him, as he's not particularly wise or far-sighted.
So, overall, a neutral party is quite possible.

Regarding leadership – I can probably level up the main character, although I don't know how effective it will be. And then I'd have to shorten the story, which I wouldn't really want to do.

Also, Heroist: ???

one melee character, the second could be a mage or use firearms, someone from the ranged characters in general.