"..."

Really?

This is the man we are meant to entrust our equipment to? The stench of alcohol is practically burning my nose. I have absolutely no desire to even speak to him, let alone hand over the weaponry I utilize in order to carry out my mission.

"I can tend to my own equipment," I assert, flatly. It's not a lie, I would never do so when it came to something as valuable to my purpose as the weaponry that I carry. Certainly, normally it is carried out by a blacksmith, but ensuring my blade remains sharp is a skill that was planted firmly within me during my training. It is not as if I am unequipped for it.

I glance towards Malina-san. She appears to be---

Casting a spell?

But why?

What could she possibly be---

---To cure the blacksmith of his drunkenness. Alcohol is a poison, after all, so it is not as if it does not make sense, but should she be doing such a thing with consideration for her injury? The state of those crucial to the fulfillment of my mission is more important than my own condition, but at the same time what can I do to resolve this?

...

Would knocking the blacksmith out force us to seek out another person?