The next morning Evan stepped into the workshop expecting another day of building refining and teaching. Instead he found Commander Rhel waiting with a grim expression surrounded by soldiers in full gear. The tension hit Evan immediately like stepping into a freezer.

“What happened” Evan asked.

Rhel pointed toward the open gate. “Scouts spotted movement along the eastern ridge. Not monsters. Soldiers. A rival kingdom patrol. Large unit heavy gear. Very organized.”

Evan felt his pulse tighten. “Are they attacking”

“Not yet” Rhel answered. “But they are close enough to see smoke from our forges. If they look harder they may notice our training drills. And if they learn we are rebuilding our arsenal they may strike before we are ready.”

Taron swallowed. “If they attack now our old lances will not keep up.”

Rhel nodded. “That is why we need the new weapons. Fast.”

Evan knew what this meant. They needed production now. But his new weapon required precision time refinement. Mass producing something delicate on a primitive line could end in disaster.

But there was no choice.

Evan turned to the craftsmen who had gathered with wide uncertain eyes. “Listen up. We are about to be tested again. And this time monsters are not the problem. If we want to keep Ironhold standing we need enough compact weapons for a full squad. We need speed and quality.”

One craftsman raised a trembling hand. “But we only helped with one yesterday. Can we make more that fast”

Evan nodded firmly. “We can if we work smart. Follow the stations. Do exactly what I showed you. No shortcuts. No hammering crystals. No free shaping. Precision only.”

Rhel stepped forward. “Every weapon you finish today will go straight to the eastern wall. We have until sunset before the rival patrol circles close enough to analyze our defenses.”

The craftsmen rushed into position. The workshop roared to life.

Evan moved from station to station correcting mistakes tightening channels adjusting tools and shaping cores with fast controlled hands. His voice echoed across the room.

“That edge is too thick. Trim it.”
“Do not heat the crystal that long. It weakens.”
“Your chamber needs a cleaner curve. Look at the flow lines.”
“Steady pressure. Not force.”

Taron sprinted between benches helping apprentices align parts. Sweat dripped from his forehead but his eyes shined with determination.

For hours the workshop became a storm of metal heat noise and motion. Cores glowed barrels cooled frames clicked into place. One by one they built weapons that mirrored Evan’s design.

The first full squad set came together by early afternoon. Rhel tested each one in the yard. Every shot landed clean. Even in wind. Even in motion. Even with soldiers untrained in precision aiming.

“Marshall” Rhel said with rare urgency. “We need more. At least double.”

Evan cracked his knuckles. “Then double the pace. But do not lose quality or the weapon becomes dangerous.”

The craftsmen roared in reply.

By late afternoon the workshop produced an entire crate of compact mana arms. The workers collapsed in exhaustion but their eyes glowed with pride.

Rhel ordered immediate distribution to the eastern wall. Soldiers formed defensive lines with the new weapons strapped to their belts. Shouts echoed from tower to tower as the wall prepared for confrontation.

Evan climbed the stairs to the wall’s lookout point. Rhel followed and handed him a spyglass.

“Take a look.”

Evan raised the glass. Far across the ridge a line of armored soldiers marched in tight formation. Their armor gleamed under the sun. Their banners carried a symbol of a silver serpent. Their pace was measured and direct.

They looked nothing like monsters. They looked like trained invaders.

“They are too close” Evan said quietly.

Rhel nodded. “If they see our new weapons or sense our sudden strength they may retreat. Or they may think we are preparing for war and strike first. We do not know. This is a dangerous moment.”

Evan felt the wind chill across his face. He gripped the rail hard enough to whiten his knuckles.

He came here to repair weapons.
But now his tools were about to shape politics military power and the fate of kingdoms.

Rhel spoke softly. “Marshall your designs may save us or they may start something larger. Are you ready for that burden”

Evan took a long breath. “I did not choose to be here. But I am here. And if this kingdom depends on my craft then I will carry whatever burden comes with it.”

Below them the soldiers loaded the new compact weapons. The sun dipped low casting long shadows across the wall.

The rival kingdom’s patrol stopped at the ridge. Their commander raised a long tube that resembled a crude spyglass.

Evan’s pulse hammered. “Do they see us”

Rhel’s jaw tightened. “We are about to find out.”

The air thickened. Soldiers held their breath.

For the first time since arriving in this world Evan felt not just purpose but danger in its purest form.

His weapons might save Ironhold.
Or ignite a war no one was prepared for.