After a long day of work, Moon returned to her private quarters, where she donned her signature silver mask and transformed into her "General Eclipse" form. With a swift flash step, she vanished from her room, reappearing in the grand corridors of the castle. Her presence was as commanding as ever, her lunar eyes glowing faintly beneath the mask as she strode with purpose.

Althea was waiting for her, leaning casually against a stone pillar. "Oh, Eclipse, you’re back. So, what can you say about the trial earlier?" she asked, her tone casual but her eyes sharp with curiosity.

Eclipse turned to face Althea, her lunar eyes sparkling with a hint of mischief. "Ah, Althea, always observant and attentive to detail. I appreciate your interest in my impressions of the trial," she replied, her voice smooth as silk.

She paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "To be frank, I found the proceedings distressing, to say the least. The manipulation of facts and the emotional blackmail employed against Chronos were both disheartening and disturbing." Her expression turned grave, her tone conveying a sense of urgency. "Something about this case feels deeply off, Althea. I fear we may be dealing with a conspiracy far greater than a simple corruption scandal."

As she spoke, Eclipse’s gaze intensified, her intuition screaming at her to dig deeper, to uncover the hidden truths that lay beneath the surface of the trial.

Althea nodded, her expression thoughtful. "I’ve been hearing troubling rumors as well. It seems the adventurers guild is gaining a bad reputation—accusations of members being rapists, picking on the weak, and being called scoundrels. I just hope it isn’t connected to Chronos’s case." She sighed, her concern evident. "Anyway, how is Isolde holding up?"

Eclipse’s expression softened at the mention of Isolde, her lunar eyes filled with a sympathetic warmth. "Poor Isolde... I witnessed her testimony earlier, and it clearly pained her to speak ill of Chronos," she said, her voice tinged with empathy. "Despite her stoic exterior, I sensed a deep conflict within her, a struggle to reconcile her duty with her lingering affections for the accused."

She paused, her gaze drifting contemplatively as she pondered the complex dynamics at play. "It’s unfortunate that her family’s influence pressured her into testifying against Chronos, given their history together. I worry that the weight of this ordeal may take a toll on her mental health, especially if the rumors about the adventurers guild spread further."

Althea nodded in agreement, her expression grim. "True... Isolde is a holy saint and a knight general, a figurehead to boost morale for the troops. But it also means she doesn’t see the adventurer's guild the same way others do. If such rumors continue to spread, she might feel pressured to judge them harshly, given her position as the holy saint."

Eclipse’s gaze grew distant as she considered the implications. "You think I should tell Isolde that her ex is not guilty? There’s no evidence to prove it, but she knows my Lunar Eyes can read emotions and intentions. And I saw that Chronos is not guilty." She hesitated, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I wonder if telling her now would just add insult to injury."

Althea crossed her arms, her expression thoughtful. "It’s a delicate situation. Isolde is already under immense pressure from her family and her role as the holy saint. If you tell her the truth, it might ease her conscience, but it could also make her feel even more conflicted. She might question her own judgment or feel guilty for testifying against him."

Eclipse sighed, her lunar eyes dimming slightly as she weighed the options. "You’re right. It’s not an easy decision. But if we don’t act soon, the damage might be irreversible. Chronos’s reputation is already in tatters, and the adventurer's guild is being dragged into this mess as well."

Althea placed a reassuring hand on Eclipse’s shoulder. "We’ll figure it out. For now, let’s focus on gathering more information. If we can uncover the truth behind these rumors and the trial, we might be able to clear Chronos’s name and protect the guild’s reputation."

Eclipse nodded, her resolve strengthening. "You’re right. We need to act carefully but decisively. I’ll continue to investigate the trial and the rumors surrounding the guild. And if the opportunity arises, I’ll speak to Isolde—gently and with care."

Althea smiled, her confidence in Eclipse unwavering. "You’ve always had a way with words, Eclipse. If anyone can get through to Isolde, it’s you."

As the two generals stood in the castle corridors, the weight of their responsibilities hung heavy in the air. But with their combined wisdom and determination, they knew they could navigate the treacherous waters ahead. For now, the truth remained hidden, but they were determined to bring it to light—no matter the cost.

Althea walked alongside Eclipse, visibly troubled and unsure whether to share her concerns. Finally, she confessed, “Honestly, Eclipse, ever since Isolde became a saint and was named knight general, she’s been spending a lot of time with General Xacion Xarion. They seem... close. She’s always blushing and acting flustered around him. I don’t know what to think—she still seems to care for Chronos, but she’s also acting all affectionate with Xacion, the so-called ‘Hero.’” Althea sighed, rubbing her temples in frustration, clearly conflicted about the situation.

General Eclipse listened attentively, her lunar eyes widening slightly as the implications of Althea’s words sank in. "Intimate, you say?" she mused, her tone carrying a hint of amusement mixed with curiosity. "That explains the blushes and flustered demeanor I observed during our meeting. It appears General Xarion has managed to capture Isolde’s affections, leaving Chronos in a precarious position."

Eclipse’s gaze turned thoughtful, her mind whirling with the potential consequences of this new information. "This development adds another layer of complexity to the situation. If Isolde’s heart is truly torn between her duty and her feelings for Chronos, her growing closeness with General Xarion could further cloud her judgment," she noted, her voice tinged with concern.

Althea sighed, crossing her arms as she stopped walking and leaned against the stone pillar. "Exactly. And with the trial and the rumors about the adventurer's guild, it’s only making things worse. Isolde’s position as the holy saint means she’s under constant scrutiny. If she’s seen favoring General Xacion Xarion over her duty, it could damage her reputation—and the morale of the troops."

Eclipse nodded, her expression growing more serious. "We need to tread carefully. If Isolde’s emotions are influencing her decisions, it could have far-reaching consequences—not just for her, but for the kingdom as well. And if Xarion is using her feelings to manipulate her, that’s an even bigger problem."

Althea frowned, her brow furrowing in thought. "Do you think Xacion has ulterior motives? He’s always been the golden boy, the 'Hero' everyone looks up to. But if he’s playing with Isolde’s emotions, that’s a line he shouldn’t cross."

Eclipse’s lunar eyes glowed faintly as she considered the possibility. "It’s hard to say without more evidence. Xacion Xarion has always been charismatic, and his reputation as a hero is well-earned. But power and influence can corrupt even the best of us. We’ll need to keep a close eye on him—and on Isolde."

Althea nodded in agreement. "Agreed. But how do we approach this without making things worse? If we confront Isolde directly, she might feel attacked or betrayed. And if Xarion catches wind of our suspicions, he could use it to his advantage."

Eclipse’s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "We’ll need to be subtle. I’ll continue to observe Isolde and Xarion during our meetings and public appearances. My Lunar Eyes can pick up on emotions and intentions, so I’ll be able to gauge their interactions more closely. In the meantime, you should focus on gathering information about the rumors surrounding the adventurer's guild. If we can clear their name, it might ease some of the pressure on Isolde and give her the clarity she needs."

Althea sighed, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "You always know how to handle these delicate situations, Eclipse. I’ll do my part. But if things escalate, we’ll need to act quickly."

Eclipse’s expression softened, her lunar eyes reflecting a quiet determination. "We will. For now, let’s focus on uncovering the truth—about the trial, the guild, and whatever’s going on between Isolde and Xarion. The kingdom depends on us to keep things balanced."

As the two generals stood in the castle corridors, the weight of their responsibilities hung heavy in the air. But with their combined wisdom and determination, they knew they could navigate the treacherous waters ahead. For now, the truth remained hidden, but they were determined to bring it to light—no matter the cost.