C21 Sword master

Eric left the first barrack, he didn't need to guide the smiths to make a plow. Although they had made lesser numbers of plows, they already had enough experience.

The real problem lies in making the crossbow. Similar to plow designs, he had the crossbow design drawn.

Smiths inside the barracks started making the blueprints based on the requirements of the new plow and other agricultural tools. It took them some time to finalize the designs. Some smiths were trying to sneak a peek at the other group's design. While others were comparing theirs with others openly.

Soon their activities halted, everyone in the room fell silent. The smiths were looking at each other's faces, waiting for something possibly. 

Fearing someone else would make the plow before them and win the reward, they hurried out of the barracks. Some of them thought of using the expertise of their masters as no one had mentioned that external help was not allowed.  

… 

Eric saw Evans leading some old men to the barracks. Eric didn't know them, but they recognized him. Even Idiots could tell the young man in front of them wearing the silver doublet having the golden rendering of a royal eagle was the prince of Alvaton.

They exchanged greetings with the prince. Evans came forward to introduce them, "Your highness, this is Gen. Jenkins, he was the overseer of the archery department and had vast experience with the bows" pointing to the old man in front of the group, his hair was white but there were no wrinkles on his face. Gen. Jenkins had the stern look on his face that a military official carries.   

Eric nodded and wondered what beauty product does this old man used, if he had that formula on earth he would have earned a fortune. 

The other people with General were retired bow makers. They were enjoying their retired lives with their families until Evans arrived.

Evans had first gone to the military bow makers but they were busy and behind the schedule. General who was there to meet some old colleagues heard him. He gave Evans the address of some retired bow makers.

"Your highness, Sorry I came uninvited, but I can't stop myself when I heard of your plans from that boy, Evans. I have nothing better to do, retired life is too boring.  Huh!" General Jenkins sighed. 

"No problem, General. I am thankful for your presence here. Your expertise will benefit us." Eric politely said. 

They entered the second barrack, just like the first one it was empty except for some tables. 

Eric showed them his design. General examined it, He with furrowed brows asked, "Um, your highness, Isn't it just a bow attached to the wooden stock."

"Yes, In simplest terms it is a bow with a stock. But it is a different concept from the bow, I mean, it would be much easier to use and more lethal. A wooden crossbow is just the start and for the bowyers to familiarize with the concept." Eric said.

Some guards came with wooden logs and placed them on the table. The bowyers unpacked their tools.

They weren't excited about this project at all. They considered the art of making bow sacred and pure, but this thing which wasn't a bow, didn't interest them.

However, they had no choice, the prince valued this project highly and general Jenkins, their previous employer and a friend, had also come all the way here to watch how this goes.

The bow makers started carving the parts as specified in the document, they first made the larger parts.

 While making smaller ones they were confused as they didn't know where they would fit and what their purpose was. They had made thousands of bows but never came across such things.

Eric was hovering around the bow makers. He was too excited, his face had a stupid smile. This was the first item from his previous world, Earth, that he was making.

General and Evans sat on a nearby table, quietly watching the bow makers.

"Lil boy, what do you think about this entire project. Will it be a success?" General asked.

"Um, General, I believe it would be a success. My friend had put much effort in it. He was planning this from the campaign against the nobles, and I think he got this idea there." Evans replied, looking at the bowyers.

"I also hope for a positive result. The younger generation is full of energy and excitement," Jenkins looked at the ceiling, trying to remember something. "Um, it's good that the prince is interested in these researches, and I wish even if it's a failure he should continue taking new initiatives and not sit back relaxed like other kings on the continent."  

"He would continue, and this isn't the first time he had gone out of way…" Evans narrated the offer he gave to farmers.

"Surely, his thinking is not like common folks. Young people are more capable." He turned to Evans and smiled.

"We still have a lot to learn from you." Evans said.

"When I was your age, I hadn't even passed the training. And see you are an elite soldier. Would probably become a sword master in the upcoming decade. And it isn't impossible now like we used to think before, the crown prince of Belur had become the youngest sword master, at the age of twenty four he achieved that. And many others are following the suit." General said, stretching his limbs.

"I had become a sword master, with complete mastery over the bow at the age of forty.  And after that left the training. I wish I had tried harder for grand master level." General said regretfully.

The name sword master was used for a person who had complete mastery over a weapon. Some people liked to use names like spear master or bow master, though not widespread…