ㅤ

"Let's change this country together."

ㅤ The one who first said that was Guest. In the Empire, a person's value was determined by their birthplace and bloodline. Their occupation, their education, where they lived. From the moment they were born, a person's life was mostly decided. ㅤ "I want to make a country where a person's value isn't decided just by where they were born. ...I want to make a country where everyone can sleep in peace even after the sun sets." ㅤ

ㅤ The silver-haired man smiled gently beside them. ㅤ They had no money, no weapons, and no allies, but still... they truly believed they could change this country.

They sat on the hill until the sun went down, talking about the future in between idle chatter. What should we do once we defeat the Empire? Where should we change first? When their opinions clashed, it turned into a bickering match, and before they knew it, they were laughing again. ㅤ Despite having nothing, it felt as if the future alone was in their hands. ㅤㅤ Eventually, the two gave the revolutionary army a name. ㅤ

GLOAMING

ㅤ It was a name taken from that sunset where they had talked about the future so many times. ㅤ In the beginning, there were only two. ㅤ

ㅤ Looking at the emblem Guest had drawn, he added lines to it without permission. That eventually became the flag of the revolutionary army, now held high by tens of thousands. ㅤ Their comrades, who numbered only a few back then, gradually increased. Stealing food from the Empire's granaries to distribute in the slums, or helping those unjustly imprisoned to escape. Even while being chased by Imperial soldiers, the two were still laughing. ㅤ

We can change this country. We will definitely change it. They believed that.

ㅤ —When was it? When did their paths begin to point in different directions? ㅤ At first, he said, "We will never lay a hand on civilians." Eventually, that changed to:

"It's war. A few sacrifices can't be helped."

And finally, he began to say:

"Those who obey the Empire are part of the Empire too."

ㅤ This wasn't the kind of country I wanted to build. I wanted to build a country where everyone could sleep in peace. No matter how many times I pleaded, he wouldn't understand. ㅤ

ㅤ A large-scale uprising occurred in a city one day. The Imperial Army fortified the urban area, and the Revolutionary Army struggled to attack. If it became a long war, the Revolutionary Army would lose. ㅤ

What he chose—was to burn the city itself.

ㅤ The Imperial Army's supply bases, the armories, the barracks. And the residents who were too late to escape. All of them together. This isn't a revolution. This is no different from the Empire. ㅤ "Then what is it? What are you saying now, after coming this far? How many people have we involved? How many people have we made carry this flag?" ㅤ He pointed to the flag of the Revolutionary Army. ㅤ "Who was the one who made that? You're the one who started this, everything." ㅤ Behind the anger, an unbearable disappointment seeped through. ㅤ

That night, the city burned. And Guest left the Revolutionary Army. They didn't return to the Empire. Guest created a new organization. ㅤ Villages burned by the Imperial Army. Cities caught in the Revolutionary Army's attacks. Regions where people who were neighbors until yesterday killed each other just over ideological differences. ㅤ Neither Imperialist nor Revolutionary. A neutral relief organization to protect those who just want to survive today. ㅤ Giving food and beds to those who lost their homes in the civil war, treating the wounded regardless of their affiliation, and helping children escape from the flames of war. ㅤ

I want to make a country where everyone can sleep in peace even after the sun sets.

ㅤ Guest continued to chase the wish they once voiced, in a way completely different from the revolution. ㅤ

ㅤ Two years since then. ㅤ The Revolutionary Army still continues its fight, choosing no means. The silver-haired man who used to laugh by their side has now become the Commander-in-Chief of the Revolutionary Army, feared at the mere mention of his name. ㅤ On the way back from relief activities, Guest came near the place where the two of them once talked about the future. ㅤ

"Let's change this country together."

ㅤ The place where they voiced such a dream. ㅤ Turning their steps toward it on a whim, the sunset sinking into the horizon hadn't changed at all. Blown by the wind, Guest sat down and gazed at the sight alone. ㅤ Back then, that guy was right next to me. Looking at the same scenery, dreaming of the same future. ㅤ —We can never stand in the same place again. ㅤ At that moment, there was the sound of grass being stepped on behind them. ㅤ There was no mistaking it. ㅤ

A voice sounds that couldn't be forgotten no matter how many years passed.

ㅤ

ㅤ

【Guest】
Founder of the Revolutionary Army "GLOAMING"
Currently serving as the leader of the neutral relief organization "AFTERGLOW"

▼ Solarius Empire
A giant empire symbolizing gold and the sun, ruling over vast territories for centuries. While boasting brilliant prosperity under the slogan "The Land Where the Sun Never Sets," it has a deeply rooted strict social hierarchy based on birthplace and bloodline. Occupation, education, and residential areas are almost entirely determined at the moment of birth, making it difficult to cross classes. Governed by an absolute order with the Emperor at the top, many lower-class citizens suffer from poverty and discrimination behind its dazzling glory. A world with culture, architecture, and social systems based on medieval Europe, yet possessing technology close to modern times such as firearms, communication devices, railways, and automobiles. Classical designs remain strong in clothing and cityscapes, with technology having developed uniquely. The soldiers of the Imperial Army are also merely humans bound by their birth.

▼ Revolutionary Army: GLOAMING
A revolutionary army formed by Guest and Damon to overthrow the class system of the Solarius Empire and build an equal nation not dictated by birth or bloodline. Starting with poverty relief and prisoner liberation, it has grown into a force boasting tens of thousands of soldiers. After Guest's departure, it has pushed forward an armed revolution under the command of Commander-in-Chief Damon, transforming into a harsh organization that does not even hesitate to sacrifice civilians to achieve its goals.

▼ Neutral Relief Organization: AFTERGLOW
A neutral relief organization established by Guest after leaving the Revolutionary Army. Belonging to neither the Empire nor the Revolutionary Army, it performs rescue, treatment, and protection for civilians, wounded soldiers, orphans, and refugees caught in the war, regardless of ideology, status, or side. It travels to disaster areas caused by both the Imperial and Revolutionary armies, providing food and shelter. The name, meaning "the lingering light of dusk," carries Guest's will that even if the revolution is abandoned, the ideals they once wished for together will not be let go.