The next day, Mixarnt eagerly headed to the guild, hoping to see Moon and find out if Guild Master Orion had explained her new role as a receptionist. As he stepped inside, his eyes immediately landed on Moon behind the reception desk. Her silver ponytail shimmered in the light, and her striking crimson eyes met his with a warm smile.
Other adventurers had gathered around the beautiful receptionist, eager for her attention.
"You fools! Stop flirting and go take on some quests! This is exactly why people see us as nothing more than mercenaries!" Orion barked, his annoyance evident. The adventurers chuckled sheepishly, embarrassed by their behavior.
"Morning, Moon!" Mixarnt greeted with a smile.
Moonlight giggled, her laughter light and melodic. "Good morning, Mixarnt," she replied, resting her elbows on the desk. "How’s your progress with the recruitment?"
Mixarnt sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Still need to find five more people… but honestly, it’s been tough. Everyone sees the guild as a complete disaster."
Moon chuckled, while Orion nodded in understanding. "Our reputation in Aetherlight is a problem," Orion admitted. "But with the right approach, we can change that."
His hazel eyes lit up with an idea as he turned to Mixarnt. "How about this? You come up with some creative recruitment strategies, and Moonlight and I will support you with the resources you need. If we work together, we might just turn things around."
Mixarnt considered the proposal, "I still can’t believe the Adventurers' Guild has such a bad reputation here," Mixarnt said, shaking his head. "Sure, Aetherlight is a country of knights, but that doesn’t mean they should look down on us. I've met amazing people in the guild—well, in Naeva, at least. Not all of them are knights, and yeah, some are scoundrels, but most follow the rules and respect the guild’s regulations."
Moonlight’s expression softened. The reason she took the receptionist job was to see for herself if the rumors about the guild were true. So far, what Mixarnt said matched her own observations. The adventurers she had met were kind—some were flirty, even a little perverted—but her Lunar Eyes could see their emotions and intentions, and she found them to be genuine.
"It’s true," Moonlight agreed, her voice thoughtful. "The Adventurers' Guild serves an important role, giving people a place to take on dangerous quests. But here in Aetherlight, the stigma surrounding mercenaries makes it hard to attract the right kind of recruits."
She glanced at Orion, then back at Mixarnt. "Maybe we should host a public event to show people what the guild really stands for. If we highlight the skills and achievements of our adventurers, it might help change how people see us and bring in recruits who share our ideals."
Orion stroked his chin, considering the idea. "That’s not a bad plan," he admitted. "It could help shift public perception in our favor."
Before they could continue, Mixarnt suddenly perked up. "Oh, right! Guild Master, how much gold did I get from all my loot?" he asked, realizing he had forgotten about it.
Orion grabbed a ledger, flipping through the pages before looking up with a raised eyebrow. "Well, well… looks like you hit the jackpot, Mixarnt," he said, grinning. "Your total earnings come to… 50 million gold."
Mixarnt blinked. "Wait, what?"
Leaning back in his chair, Orion chuckled. "This is unheard of. For a Pebble-ranked adventurer to bring in this kind of fortune... We might need to rethink our reward structure." He eyed Mixarnt with renewed interest. "You’re proving to be a valuable asset to the guild. Maybe we should grant you a special dispensation—"
"Nah, I’m good," Mixarnt interrupted with a shrug. "But take 10 million from my earnings and use it to build a school and an orphanage for the street kids here in Aetherlight. And just use my account to buy food and supplies for them."
Moonlight stared at him, her initial shock shifting to admiration. The boy had just thrown away a fortune like it was nothing.
“Wow, Mixarnt, that’s incredibly generous,” she says, her voice filled with genuine respect. “Not many would do something like this, especially at your age.”
Orion, too, is visibly moved, a warm smile spreading across his face. “By the gods, Mixarnt, you’ve got a heart of gold,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “I couldn’t agree more—this money will do far more good helping those in need than just sitting in a vault.”
Clearing his throat, the guildmaster regains his composure and pulls out a parchment, making quick notes. “I’ll make sure the 10 million gold is transferred immediately for the orphanage and school’s construction.”
Later, as Mixarnt and Moonlight walk through town, gathering supplies for the guild, Moon hums happily. After witnessing Mixarnt’s generosity and chivalry, she has already decided—she will make him one of her knights.
“By the way, Old Man Gundrik and General Sunshine helped me hand out flyers yesterday,” Mixarnt says. “They were a huge help! I managed to finish all of them, and people started seeing the guild in a better light since they were the ones handing them out.”
Moonlight already knew this—she had been secretly watching. Sunshine, her best friend, was her complete opposite in personality, yet the two of them were both strikingly beautiful in their own way.
“I see,” Moonlight muses before glancing at him playfully. “So… who do you think is more beautiful? Sunshine or me?”
Mixarnt immediately turns red. “W-well, Sunshine is really, really beautiful,” he admits. “She’s got those bright blue eyes like mine, golden hair, and that strong, proud personality. She’s stern but kind at the same time… But—” he hesitates before continuing, “I like Moon better. I-I mean, when we first met, I was completely mesmerized. You’re just as beautiful as Sunshine, b-but you left a lasting impression on me. I was stunned… Plus, you’re kind and not as stiff as General Sunshine.” He blushes harder, avoiding eye contact.
Moonlight chuckles softly, amused. He has no idea she is actually General Eclipse.
Just then, Althea passes by and freezes mid-step, eyes widening in shock. She knows exactly who General Eclipse is without her Moonlight mask. And now, standing in front of her, is Eclipse—dressed in an Adventurer’s Guild uniform.
“E-Eh?” Althea blurts out, struggling to process what she’s seeing.
Moonlight smiles at her, crimson eyes locking onto Althea’s with silent instruction: Don’t expose me. Call me Moonlight, not Eclipse. And definitely don’t mention that I’m a knight general.
Althea swallows, glancing between them, before sighing in resignation. “Good afternoon… Moonlight.”