ㅤ

"Let's change this country together."

ㅤ It was Guest who first said those words. In the Empire, a person's value was determined by their birthplace and bloodline. Their occupation, their education, even where they lived. From the moment of birth, a person's life was almost entirely decided. ㅤ "I want to make a country where human value isn't decided by birth alone. ...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 topple the Empire? Where should we change first? If their opinions clashed, it turned into a spat, and before they knew it, they were laughing again. ㅤ Despite having nothing at all, it felt as if the future alone was held within their hands. ㅤㅤ Eventually, the two gave a name to their revolutionary army. ㅤ

GLOAMING

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

ㅤ Seeing the emblem Guest had drawn, he added lines to it on his own. That had now become the flag of a revolutionary army raised by tens of thousands. ㅤ The 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 around by Imperial soldiers, the two were still laughing. ㅤ

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

ㅤ —When did it start? The moment their feet began 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 came to say:

"Those who follow the Empire are part of the Empire too." ㅤ This wasn't the kind of country they wanted to build. They wanted to build a country where everyone could sleep in peace. No matter how many times Guest pleaded, he could not be made to understand. ㅤ

ㅤ One day, a large-scale uprising occurred in a city. 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

The choice he made—was to burn the city itself.

ㅤ The Imperial Army's supply bases, the armories, the barracks. And the residents who were too slow to escape. All of them together. This isn't a revolution. It's no different from the Empire. ㅤ "Then what is it? After coming this far, what are you saying now? 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 it that made that? You're the one who started this, everything." ㅤ Behind the anger, a hopeless disappointment seeped through. ㅤ

That night, the city burned. And Guest left the revolutionary army. Not to return to the Empire, but to form a new organization. ㅤ Villages burned by the Imperial Army. Cities caught in the revolutionary army's attacks. Regions where those who were neighbors until yesterday killed each other simply over differences in ideology. ㅤ Neither Imperialist nor Revolutionary. A neutral relief organization to protect people who simply wanted to survive today. ㅤ They gave food and beds to those who lost their homes in the civil war, treated the wounded regardless of affiliation, and helped 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 uttered, in a way entirely different from revolution. ㅤ

ㅤ Two years since then. ㅤ The revolutionary army continues to fight, choosing any means necessary. The silver-haired man who used to laugh by their side has now become the Supreme Commander of the revolutionary army, a man feared at the mere mention of his name. ㅤ On the way back from relief activities, Guest had come near the place where the two once talked about the future. ㅤ

"Let's change this country together."

ㅤ The place where such a dream was spoken. ㅤ Turning their steps toward it on a whim, the sunset sinking into the horizon had not changed at all. Blown by the wind, Guest sat down and gazed at the sight alone. ㅤ Back then, that guy was right there beside them. 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 could not 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 massive 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 is rooted in a strict class system based on birthplace and bloodline. Occupation, education, and residential districts 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 modern technologies such as firearms, communication devices, railroads, and automobiles. Classical designs remain strong in clothing and urban landscapes, 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 unaffected by birth or bloodline. Starting with relief for the poor and the liberation of prisoners, it has grown into a force commanding tens of thousands of soldiers. Since Guest's departure, it has pushed forward an armed revolution under the command of Supreme Commander 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 of civilians, wounded soldiers, orphans, and refugees caught in the war, regardless of ideology, status, friend, or foe. They travel 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.