"I'm telling you! I'm innocent! Why won't you believe me!?" Chronos pleaded with the judges.
Mixarnt watched the trial unfold, noting the raw emotion in Chronos's voice. He wasn't familiar with the full story, but something about the noble's distress struck a chord with him.
Still, standing still wasn't his style. With a glance at the flyers in his hands, he decided to take advantage of the large crowd. He slipped out into the hallway and began passing them out, targeting the gathered onlookers.
But after a few minutes, reality sets in.
"Yeah... this is not gonna work," Mixarnt muttered as people either rejected the flyers outright or lit up in interest—only for their excitement to fade the moment they realized it was for the infamous Adventurers' Guild.
Meanwhile, back inside the courtroom, the atmosphere grew heavier as the Holy Saint herself entered, her expression a mix of sorrow and resolve.
"That man, Tristan Chronos, is guilty."
Isolde's voice cut through the courtroom like a blade, sharp and unyielding. "He embezzled the people's funds for his own gain." Her golden eyes, once warm with affection, now burned with icy resolve. "I had my assistant monitor him, because he was my ex-fiancé, because I wanted to believe in him. But the reports don't lie. He conspired with criminals, enemies of the Church, and squandered the kingdom's treasury under the guise of delivering it to the Church, as entrusted by General Xacion."
A burly man, his face lined with deceit, stepped forward. "Aye, Chronos paid me handsomely to smear the Church's name," he declared, voice dripping with false remorse. "Said ruinin' its reputation would force his ex to resign. I was just his hired blade." He then looked at Tristan, "Just admit it boss, if you do, the punishment won't be severe."
Tristan's blood ran cold. Not at the stranger's lies, but at the woman delivering the final blow.
"Isolde."
His first love. His shattered promise. The woman whose family had torn their engagement apart, yet still held his heart in her hands. The pain in his chest dwarfed any other wound, her betrayal was a poison no armor could deflect. His fists trembled as he met her gaze.
"Isolde…" His voice was a raw whisper, drowned by the courtroom's murmurs. "You know me. I would never betray you, or the people." Then, whirling on Xacion, his composure cracked. "This is a setup! I was ambushed and the money stolen!"
Xacion sighed, feigning pity. "Where's your proof?"
Isolde didn't flinch. "The evidence is undeniable." With a wave of her hand, more witnesses emerged, spinning their fabricated tales. Tristan's pulse roared in his ears.
"Lies. Every word!" But his protests were futile. A disgraced noble without a Job Class stood no chance against the Holy Saint, the kingdom's beloved, chosen voice.
"You are the lowest scum, Tristan. Instead of admitting your crimes, you keep denying them. I don't ever want to see you again..." Isolde said coldly.
Moonlight observed the trial with a heavy heart, her lunar eyes glowing with restrained emotion. Isolde's accusations against Chronos struck like sharp blades, each word deepening the despair etched on his face. Though the noble stood firm, the weight of betrayal was evident in his trembling hands and pained expression.
When the witnesses confidently testified, weaving lies into the narrative, she calmed herself, her Lunar Eyes, capable of perceiving truth and emotion, revealed the deception unfolding before her. She could see it clearly, Chronos was telling the truth, the witnesses were lying, and Isolde, despite her composed exterior, harbored conflicting emotions.
Yet, despite knowing this, Moonlight remained silent. She had no interest in political games, nor did she wish to involve herself in matters beyond her role. Speaking out could entangle her in unnecessary conflicts, and she had long learned that not every battle was meant to be fought with a blade.
Still, as she studied Chronos, she couldn't ignore the depth of his sorrow. The injustice unfolding before her stirred something within—an ache not just for the condemned noble, but for the cruel fate that had driven a wedge between two souls who once loved each other.
After the trial, Mixarnt stood outside the grand court, handing out flyers with enthusiasm.
"Hey, miss beautiful! Want to work at the Adventurers' Guild?" he called out with a grin.
The woman's expression twisted in disgust. She recoiled as if he'd insulted her. "Adventurers' Guild? Are you mad?!" she spat.
Mixarnt blinked in confusion. "W-what's wrong? It's a good place to work..."
She scoffed. "You're naive if you think that. The guild is full of thieves, rapists, and murderers preying on the weak!" With that, she stormed off.
Mixarnt stood frozen, mouth slightly open. He knew the guild had a bad reputation, but he never realized common folk saw them as criminals.
"Ugh... Sigh... Anyway, where's Moon? Haven't seen her since I left the courtroom," he muttered, shaking off the unease.
Just then, he spotted Moonlight emerging from the shadows, her silver hair shimmering in the afternoon sun.
"Moon! Over here!" he waved.
She approached gracefully, but Mixarnt noticed a hint of tension in her usually calm demeanor.
"Something wrong?" he asked.
Moon smiled gently. "People get caught up in discussions about trials and rumors. Don't let it bother you too much."
Mixarnt sighed but nodded. "I see, I see. Well, it's already afternoon. Let's head back to the guild!"
Moonlight's smile eased his worries, and together they made their way through Aetherlight's streets. The city buzzed with life, the golden glow of sunset casting long shadows over the cobblestones.
When they arrived, the guild was lively, adventurers exchanging stories and planning their next quests.
Moonlight apologized to Orion for taking time off to watch the trial, but he simply waved it off. "Ever since you started working here, all the paperwork gets done so fast, there's barely anything left to do. I don't mind covering the reception for you."
Mixarnt hesitated before speaking. "Hey, old dwarf... I didn't know the guild's reputation was that bad. A woman told me earlier that adventurers are nothing but low lives who take advantage of the weak."
Even Orion, usually unfazed, grimaced at the words. His expression darkened at Mixarnt's words, his bushy beard bristling with anger. "Lowlifes? Taking advantage of the weak?" he growled, his deep voice rumbling through the guild hall. "That's pure slander! We may be mercenaries in the eyes of some, but we live by a code—protecting the innocent and fighting against evil!"
His usual jovial demeanor was gone, replaced by a fierce resolve. "These lies only fuel the hatred against us. We can't let this stand—we need to show the world what the Adventurers' Guild truly represents!"
Around him, the adventurers murmured in agreement, their expressions hardening with determination.
Moonlight placed a calming hand on Orion's shoulder, her touch instantly soothing. "Now, now, Guildmaster. No need to get worked up. I have connections with the Knight Order. I can ask them to investigate who's spreading such outrageous claims."
Orion let out a deep breath, his shoulders easing as Moonlight's words sank in. "You're right. We need a proper approach. If the knights conduct an official inquiry, it might clear our name."
Mixarnt nodded. "Yeah, charging into the streets demanding justice isn't gonna help. That'd just land us all in prison for disturbing the peace."
Elara, a newly promoted Ruby-rank cleric and the main appraiser of the guild in Aetherlight, glanced up from her paperwork and sighed. Her sharp green eyes, usually filled with focus and determination, now reflected a hint of concern as she addressed the group gathered in the guild hall. "Agreed. Acting recklessly will only make things worse. We need to gather evidence and handle this wisely."
The guild members settled into thoughtful discussion, their voices low and measured, determined to find the truth and reclaim their honor.