Kipler and Jenkins hurried to the military drill ground, in front of the barracks. Evans had sent his assistant to inform them that the crossbow was ready for trails.
When they reached the ground they saw Evans carrying the first crossbow with extreme care like it was a new-born baby. Only one thought came in their minds, if this thing is so delicate how would we use it in the military. They were a little disappointed.
The western part of the drill ground was transformed into an archery range. Several wooden targets were placed at a distance of 100 meters, 150 meters, so on up to the palace wall which was at three hundred meters. Half of the wooden targets were wearing armors, heavy and light armors in equal proportion.
Eric had made the arrangements to showcase the power of the crossbow. This event was very important to him.
Out of three pillars of the kingdom, the first were officials and nobles, nobles were obliterated but their remaining members or supporters hated him to death. Ministers were equally wary of him. The second pillar, people, did not have any good impression of him.
And the last pillar, the military, except for a few loyal generals and Chief Kipler, he didn't think any other captain or commander would respect his decisions, although they would follow it but only superficially and not by heart. The blunder caused by (previous) Eric was haunting him. The death of nearly fifteen hundred soldiers in his stupid push against Dazarian forces had induced displeasure in northern and western soldiers, the premier fighting forces of Alvaton.
The first pillar was as good as gone for him, it would take time to induct his men in the kingdom's bureaucracy and expel those against him.
The people and military were his prime focus now. And the crossbow was his first try at the military to make a name for himself.
The preparations were done, Eric had three types of bolts in his hands as he was following Evans to the archery range.
"Why are you following me,go away. Can't you give a crossbow to your childhood buddy."
After firing the first bolt Evans was so impressed that he didn't want to part with the crossbow, he didn't even allow Eric to touch it.
"Evans! Please don't behave like this. it's only the first crossbow, I have planned for more powerful crossbows. Give this to soldiers so they could start the testing." Eric said, out of the corner of his eyes he saw two familiar silhouettes. "See even the Chief had arrived."
Evans turned and saluted the two persons, Ignoring Eric's words he asked Kipler, "Chief, could I carry out the demonstration of this thing."
Kipler gazed at the crossbow, he asked Evans with apprehension, "Is this thing really so delicate that you have to put so much effort in its care."
Kipler extended his hand for the crossbow but Evans backed off like a child asked to give away his favorite toy.
"Chief, this thing is tough and fit for the service. It's… It's just Evans doesn't want to part with it." Eric explained.
Kipler shook his head, he glanced at his nephew, his brows arched and lines formed on his forehead. Evans reluctantly handed over the crossbow, he didn't like being beaten by his sword master uncle. Evans had lots of such unpleasant childhood memories, just recalling it sent a chill down his spine.
…
Kipler stood at a hundred meters from the first target. He took the normal wooden bolt, pulled the trigger. The bolt whooshed to the wooden dummy, pierced through it and fell on the other side of the target.
Kipler's eyes and mouth were wide open, enough to fit an apple into his mouth. Jenkins gasped in astonishment.
It was way more powerful than the bow. Kipler was now more than ever interested in this weapon. He aimed the wooden bolt at 200 metres, the bolt was struck half inside it. Then at the 300-meter target, the bolt struck in it, making a three-inch deep hole.
Then kipler picked up the bolts with iron arrowheads, he was surprised that this could pierce the heavily armored target at 200 meters.
Kipler was lost in thought, staring blankly at the crossbow. He could visualize how big of a change this crossbow would bring in future battles. No enemy knight could cross the two hundred meters line.
Kipler gestured to Jenkins to come forward. Jenkins understood his intention. He took the bow from a nearby soldier.
Jenkin nocked the arrow and pulled the string with full force, the power of a sword master archer. And released the arrow, the arrow struck the heavy metal armored target and pierced through it. Jenkins raised his eyebrow at Kipler as if asking how it was.
Kipler nodded and said, "General, you are a sword master archer, so it's normal for you to take down such a target. But think of a common soldier, with this crossbow they could easily reach your level. It would really change the dynamics of war, thousands of ."
Jenkins shuddered at the thought of thousands of men releasing the crossbow bolts at him. What sword masters even the grandmasters would shit their pants.
Kipler appreciated the efforts of Eric. He first congratulated him and then thanked him for such a gift for the military. It would make their forces almost invincible.
Kipler wondered how a person could change so much. His impression of Eric changed pretty quickly over the past month.
Kipler shrugged the thoughts in the back of his mind, whatever be the reason for change it benefitted the kingdom.
Kipler said to Jenkins, "General, from tomorrow onwards, the military factory would only produce these crossbows."
Jenkins was an archer, he questioned back "but it takes time to load these crossbows, in that time an archer could shoot three to five arrows."
Eric also knew the biggest drawback of crossbow was it took time to be loaded. However, Eric had the design of a semi/fully automatic crossbow, but it would take some time to make one as it needed complex metal parts.
Eric said, "General, I would be working on this next, I think maybe in a month or so we would have a crossbow with much lower reload time. And by then, soldiers would be used to crossbow if they are made by military factory."
"Hmm" Kipler nodded, he gazed at the boy whose eyes had an expression of firm determination. Jenkins also nodded, what he could do alone if both the military Chief and the prince agreed...