Saving Illustrtator fie with altered opacity

[toymaker1]

I have created an illustrator file with some layers having the opacity reduced. When I merge the layers, the opacity f the whole image is altered, so it looks completely wrong. How can I save the file t keep it as I created it, with different opacity on different layers?

[Monika Gause]

Did you assign the opacity reduction to the layer or the objects?

Please show before and after including the layers panel.

Why do you think you need to merge the layers?