Miguel responded firmly, "I will strengthen the barony's defenses and, if everything goes as planned, develop weapons that can change the fate of this world. Weapons that no army will be able to stop. You were impressed with the crossbow, weren't you?" Miguel asked Ruidahr with a smile. "This is just the beginning. You haven't seen what we're capable of yet."

Ruidahr nodded, intrigued and hopeful. "Do you really believe this is possible?"

"Yes," Miguel said with conviction. "I guarantee I will help you in liberating your people. You saved the people of this barony twice, once when you sent supplies and another when you drove out the mercenary army. You had no obligation to do this, but you did it anyway. For this, I promise to help you and your people. We will prove that humans and beastmen can share a society and a world together, free and without oppression or prejudice. It will be a difficult path, but we will achieve it."

Ruidahr smiled, his eyes shining with gratitude and determination. "You are a very optimistic human, Miguel, making me want to believe this future is possible."

They both raised their wine glasses and toasted again, a silent pact of friendship and commitment forming between them. Together, they looked out the window, observing the city in the distance, each lost in thoughts about the challenges and opportunities the future held.

---

A few days later, brick production was in full swing. Hundreds of concrete bricks had already been produced, and dozens were made each day. Miguel managed to organize an efficient logistics system for mining limestone, gravel, and collecting volcanic ash.

The workers followed a steady rhythm, breaking stones, collecting ash, and processing limestone in the furnaces. The process efficiency significantly increased with the help of dozens of beastmen, whose skills and strength sped up the work.

The construction site was always bustling with activity. Piles of bricks grew rapidly, and Miguel watched the progress with satisfaction. Carts loaded with limestone arrived regularly from the quarry, while others transported the newly produced bricks to construction sites.

Closely monitoring each step, Miguel felt a growing sense of accomplishment. The collaboration between humans and beastmen was proving fruitful, and the vision of a strengthened barony was beginning to materialize.

With brick production stabilized and logistics running smoothly, Miguel knew they were ready to start building the new walls. He felt hope renewing, confident that they were building a safer and more prosperous future for all.

---

Miguel was taking a last look at his construction plans, spread across different papers. He knew that every detail was crucial for the project's success. The construction would begin with the foundation. They would dig trenches two meters deep and one meter wide. These trenches would be filled with a layer of large stones to ensure stability. On this base, a mixture of concrete would be poured, creating a solid and durable foundation.

The wall would be ten meters high and three kilometers long, surrounding the entire city. It would be built in layers, with concrete bricks being stacked and bonded with mortar. Every meter of height, horizontal iron reinforcements would be added to increase structural strength. Inside the wall, Miguel planned to build rooms with small openings facing outward. These rooms would serve as watch posts and storage areas. The openings would allow guards to observe the outside without exposing themselves to danger. Additionally, some rooms would be used as shelters in case of emergency.

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Four immense gates would be constructed, one at each end of the wall. These gates would be made of wood reinforced with iron strips, providing durability and security. Each gate would be wide enough to allow carts and troops to pass through. Mechanisms would be in place to lock them quickly in case of an attack. On top of the wall, Miguel planned to install dozens of automatic crossbows. These weapons would allow defenders to fire a large number of arrows in a short period, repelling any invading force. Besides the crossbows, there would be platforms for soldiers to patrol and watch the surrounding area.

Miguel also took care of the construction's logistics and organization. He divided the workforce into teams, each responsible for a specific part of the project. This would ensure that everyone knew their roles and could work efficiently. With all this planned, Miguel felt confident that the new wall would not only protect the city but also serve as a symbol of strength and unity between humans and beastmen. He knew that the success of this project could change the fate of the barony and perhaps the entire kingdom.

The first day of construction began at dawn, with a sense of anticipation and determination in the air. Miguel and Ricardo arrived early at the construction site, where human and beastmen workers were already gathering, all prepared to start the ambitious project.

The trenches were the first to be dug, starting at the city's main entrance. With simple but effective tools, the workers began to carve the two-meter-deep and one-meter-wide grooves. The sound of shovels and pickaxes hitting the ground filled the air as the land was carefully prepared.

Miguel closely observed each step, giving instructions and ensuring all details were followed to the letter. The team of humans and beastmen worked in sync, showing impressive efficiency. Every meter dug was a step closer to a solid and durable foundation.

With the trenches dug, the next step was to fill the base with a layer of large stones. Carts full of stones were brought from the quarry, and the workers quickly began placing them in the trenches. The foundation needed to be robust to support the ten-meter-high wall, and each stone was carefully positioned to ensure maximum stability.

After placing the stones, it was time to pour the concrete mixture over the stone base. The workers used large buckets to transport the fresh concrete, pouring it into the trenches and leveling the surface with hand tools. Miguel constantly checked the quality of the mixture and the uniformity of the application, knowing that any mistake at this stage could compromise the integrity of the wall.

As the day progressed, the foundation began to take shape. They had completed 200 meters of foundation at the city's main entrance, a crucial stretch that would be the base for the immense gates they had planned. Miguel couldn't help but feel a growing sense of pride as he watched the progress. He knew this was just the beginning of a long and challenging process, but the first day of construction was a success.

The workers, though exhausted, showed signs of satisfaction and accomplishment. They had done hard and well-executed work, and this was visible on their faces. As night fell, Miguel gathered everyone to thank them for their effort and dedication. He knew there was still a lot of work ahead, but with the motivated and committed team, he felt confident that they would achieve their goals.

With the foundation completed at the city's main entrance, they were ready to move on to the next stage. The wall's construction was officially underway, and Miguel knew that each day would bring them one step closer to a safer and more prosperous barony.

---

The second day of construction began with the sun barely peeking over the horizon, the sky tinged with a light pink that announced another day of hard work. Miguel and Ricardo were again at the construction site, ready to lead the team of human and beastmen workers. The atmosphere was charged with energy and determination.

The day's focus was to start building the wall itself. With the foundation at the city's main entrance completed, the workers began stacking the newly produced concrete bricks. With precision and care, the first rows of bricks were laid, each bound by a layer of mortar. Miguel watched closely, ensuring everything was aligned and level. The progress was slow but steady.

Throughout the day, the workers managed to raise two meters of the city's front wall. It was impressive to see the structure beginning to take shape, and this brought a sense of accomplishment and motivation to everyone. The wall, even in its early stages, already gave a feeling of security and strength.

In parallel with the wall's construction, another team was tasked with continuing the trench digging. Another 200 meters of trenches were dug, following the planned perimeter for the wall. The sound of shovels and pickaxes hitting the ground echoed in the air, mixing with the noise of conversations and supervisors' commands.

Miguel moved between the two teams, checking progress and offering guidance when necessary. He knew that maintaining high morale and efficiency was crucial to the project's success. He didn't hesitate to get his hands dirty, helping to carry bricks or dig when he saw a need.

The interaction between humans and beastmen continued to be harmonious, a testament to the new alliance Miguel had formed. They worked side by side, sharing tasks and knowledge, creating an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect.

As night fell, fatigue was evident on the workers' faces, but there was also a glow of satisfaction. Two meters of the wall had been raised, and another 200 meters of trenches dug. Miguel gathered the team again to thank and acknowledge everyone's effort.

"We are making progress," he said with a firm and encouraging voice. "Today we raised the first two meters of the wall. We will continue to work hard and build a safer future for all of us. Thank you for your dedication."