Miguel returned to his office, feeling satisfied with the success of the crossbow project on the first attempt. Perhaps he had underestimated the skill and potential of the people around him. Upon entering the office, he found Marcus and Ricardo already waiting for him.

"Well, gentlemen, we have more work ahead of us," said Miguel, settling into his chair. "Marcus, I need you for another project."

Marcus, always attentive, leaned in slightly to listen better. Miguel pulled a sketch from his desk and handed it to the carpenter. "I want you to make brick molds," Miguel explained. "We will use these molds to create the concrete bricks we need for the new wall and concrete roads."

Marcus took the sketch, examining it carefully. He analyzed every detail, his eyes scanning the precise lines of the drawing. A confident smile appeared on his face. "This will be easy, my lord," he said, laughing. "By the end of the day, I'll have a mold ready for you."

Miguel smiled, relieved. "That's perfect, Marcus. Your efficiency is impressive."

"I'll do my best, as always," replied Marcus, humbly.

"Great. You may go now and start the work," said Miguel, nodding.

Marcus nodded and stood up, bidding farewell to Ricardo with a nod before leaving the office. Ricardo watched the interaction with approval. He knew that every small innovation was contributing to a stronger and more resilient barony.

Miguel turned to Ricardo, feeling energized by the progress. "Ricardo, we need to ensure that the workers are ready to start brick production as soon as Marcus finishes the molds."

"Leave it to me, my lord," replied Ricardo. "I will organize everything and ensure they are prepared."

Miguel nodded confidently. "Thank you, Ricardo. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I feel we're on the right track."

Ricardo left the office to start organizing the workers. Miguel, now alone, took a deep breath and looked at the sketches on his desk. He knew that each step was crucial to the transformation of the barony. With the success of the crossbow and the start of concrete brick production, he was more determined than ever to continue his mission.

He picked up another blank paper and began sketching the next project in his mind. He knew that with allies like Marcus and Ricardo by his side, he could overcome any challenge and build a bright future for everyone in the barony.

---

Miguel left his office accompanied by a guard. He decided to go to the site in the city where they produce charcoal. João, the young deer, had told him the other day that, thanks to these large furnaces, it was possible to produce enough charcoal for the winter. Miguel wanted to see with his own eyes, not just the charcoal production but also to gather information about the possibility of obtaining lime, a crucial element for concrete production.

The walk to the charcoal production area was peaceful. As they approached, Miguel noticed the wooden structure that stood out in the landscape. It looked like a large hall, robust and well-built, highlighting the importance of charcoal production for the village. As they approached, the heat emanating from the furnaces could already be felt, and a light smoke rose into the air, carrying the characteristic smell of burning wood.

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Miguel pushed open the heavy door and entered, feeling the intense heat from the furnaces. Four large furnaces dominated the space, their flames crackling fiercely as workers fed the fire with large pieces of wood. The environment was hot and noisy, with the constant sound of hammers hitting, wood being broken, and the crackling of flames.

Looking around, Miguel saw a huge stockpile of charcoal stacked near the furnaces. It was an impressive sight, a true mountain of black and shiny charcoal, carefully stored for the winter.

"Incredible," Miguel said to himself, marveling at the efficiency and organization of the place. He approached one of the workers, a robust-looking man with calloused hands from hard work.

This man, who seemed to be one of the leaders of the workers, noticed Miguel's approach and said, "My lord, it is a surprise to see you here. How can I help?"

Miguel smiled, recognizing the dedication in the worker's eyes. "I was curious about how you produce charcoal, and I am impressed with the amount you have here."

The man nodded proudly. "Charcoal production was started generations ago in this barony. My great-grandfather was one of the workers who began it all, and now I follow that tradition." He pointed to the stone furnaces, which looked robust and ancient.

Miguel looked at the furnaces with renewed interest. "Do you know if they produce anything other than charcoal in these furnaces?"

The man shook his head negatively. "No, my lord, only charcoal."

Miguel reflected for a moment before continuing. "I am thinking of using one of the furnaces to produce an important element called lime. It is extracted from limestone."

The man looked confused. "I've never heard of that, my lord."

"That makes sense," Miguel murmured to himself, understanding the man's unfamiliarity with the material. He then turned to the worker and explained, "Lime is an essential element that will help us defend the village and build more resilient structures."

The man pondered the information and asked, "Where can we get this limestone?"

"There is a quarry nearby," replied Miguel. "I believe we will find limestone there."

The man frowned, recalling something. "The quarry was closed generations ago by order of the king of the time. These furnaces were built with stones from that quarry." He looked at Miguel with determination. "If you wish, my lord, we can use one of the furnaces for this limestone."

Miguel thanked him with a grateful smile. "Thank you. I will return with some limestone to start the production."

With that, Miguel and the guard accompanying him bid farewell to the worker. He felt that another important stage was about to begin. As he walked back through the city, the sight of the furnaces and the huge charcoal stockpile still impressed him. He knew that the journey to transform the barony was just beginning, but each step forward filled him with hope and determination.

Leaving the wooden structure, Miguel looked around, observing the movement of the workers and the vitality of the city. He felt inspired by the history and commitment of the people who kept the traditions alive while preparing to embrace the innovations he was bringing.

"Let's go, we have a lot of work to do," Miguel said to the guard as they headed back to the mansion. The idea of obtaining limestone and producing lime to strengthen the defenses and constructions of the barony was just one of the many plans he had in mind. And with everyone's help, he knew he could turn these ideas into reality.

---

Miguel was in his office, lost in thoughts about the ingredients needed to produce Roman concrete. The only component missing was sand, but the barony's coastline seemed too far away for now. He concluded that, for the moment, the best option would be to crush stones and use them as aggregate instead of sand until he found a way to reach the coast.

As he reflected on this, he heard a knock on the door. It was the young servant João, who entered and said, "Afternoon coffee is ready to be served, my lord."

Miguel smiled and replied, "Thank you very much, João. I'll be there shortly."

He stood up from his chair and walked to the window, from where he could see the city in the distance. The mansion was built on an elevated peak, providing a strategic view of the entire region. He had always found this view fascinating, and at that moment, he felt a wave of inspiration and responsibility.

The city was bustling with activity, with workers moving along the dirt streets, children playing, and merchants selling their goods. Miguel knew he had a crucial role in improving the lives of these people, and building the new wall was just one of the many steps he needed to take.

He walked to a dark wood cabinet, opened the door, and took out a bottle of wine that seemed quite old. "The older the wine, the better," he said to himself, remembering the saying. Carefully, he took a delicate glass goblet and poured himself a drink. The wine had a deep, rich aroma, promising a pleasurable experience.

Miguel returned to the window, holding the glass of wine. He looked at the city again, his mind full of plans and strategies. He knew that the road ahead would not be easy, but he was determined to do everything he could to transform the barony into a prosperous and safe place for everyone.

He brought the glass to his lips and took a sip, feeling the robust flavor of the aged wine. The liquid went down smoothly, warming him from the inside. The combination of the inspiring view and the quality wine made him feel momentarily at peace, despite the numerous challenges he faced.

"The new wall will be a priority," he murmured to himself, mentally tracing the next steps. "As soon as we start producing the bricks, we will need to ensure that construction is quick and efficient. Every day that passes, we become more vulnerable without adequate defenses."

He finished the wine, leaving the empty glass on the table beside him. Miguel knew that the hard work was just beginning, but he also felt that each small advance was a victory. He was determined to keep fighting for his barony, ensuring a better future for everyone.

With one last look at the city, he turned and walked toward the door, ready to face the next challenges.