Andrew went to the gypsum mine valley again to investigate, while Ed was also busy improving weapons and equipment in the castle. The territory's current weaponry was too limited and monotonous.
His primary focus now is improving the full-body chainmail. With good protection, combat would be much easier. Chainmail is relatively simple to make; Smith can complete it independently. Ed only needs to make some minor modifications to make it more comfortable and provide better protection. This chainmail can be equipped on most warriors, offering both agility and significant protection, making it a good alternative to leather armor. Of course, it's harder to obtain than leather armor, and even with Smith and his team, mass production would be difficult.
Plate armor is quite troublesome; it would cover the entire person like a lump of iron. Such armor probably doesn't exist yet, but it's necessary. Wearing plate armor, one person could fight off a whole group. However, making it is also very complicated. It needs to be custom-made according to the user's body shape. Smith has no experience in this area and might not be able to make it. He can only draw the diagrams and learn while practicing. Making it in a short time is difficult; they'll have to slowly experiment and see if they can make a set.
Longswords are the weapon Ed is currently focusing on crafting. They're the mainstream weapon type, and a longsword is indispensable everywhere.
On the paper placed on the long table was a drawing of a long sword, about ninety centimeters long, with a long, straight handguard that would provide good protection for the user. The counterweight at the end of the hilt was decorated with a map totem, and the grip appeared to be made of rope. The blade was double-edged.
As for the sword-making process, Ed will go to Smith's forge and work with him to forge a better steel from wrought iron.
Ed thought about the team's flag for a long time and finally decided to use the pattern of the leader's totem.
There's not much that can be improved with bows and arrows; the only remaining improvements are to the arrowheads. Replace all the arrowheads with iron ones, and use four-sided arrowheads with better armor-piercing capabilities. Use better steel.
Finally, there's the issue of his own weapon. Ed plans to design a small crossbow so that even someone like him who can't draw a longbow can have some combat ability.
However, he plans to make the crossbow himself.
Red Iron Village
The terrifying iron-eating monster still stands in the open space, and workers are pouring various materials into it through the steps, but the amount of materials is far from enough to fill the monster's huge belly.
"My lord, you see, we are seriously short of iron ore!" Smith complained to Ed.
Since using this furnace to smelt iron, the mining speed has clearly lagged behind. These days, they have to mine together, and only start the furnace to smelt iron after they've finished mining. Thinking back to how they used to mine, train, and craft tools all at the same time, that's impossible now. This iron-eating monster is simply amazing.
"Smith, there aren't many extra people in the territory right now, but many women are pregnant, so you might have more help in the future," Ed could only offer him some words of comfort.
Smith exclaimed excitedly, "Really? My lord, that's wonderful! I just hope it doesn't happen so late that I can't lift the hammer anymore!"
Ed was taken aback; it seemed Smith was an interesting person after all.
"No, Smith, if you can't lift a hammer, you can be a teacher and teach them to sing The Little Blacksmith of Milan."