Arthur attentively watched the townspeople vote. He had never participated in something like this before and felt a mix of curiosity and pride. Beside him, his son was clearly excited, his eyes shining with enthusiasm. Arthur also felt contagious energy. He approached the tent, and soon it was his turn. A soldier greeted him and led him inside the tent, where he explained how the vote would work before leaving.
Arthur, one of the few who could read, found it incredible that Miguel had taken the time to use symbols and paper to represent the vote. It was an inclusive way to ensure everyone could participate, regardless of literacy. He looked at the paper in his hands, reflected for a moment, and marked the symbol in favor. Then, he placed the paper in the ballot box and left the tent.
His son entered right after, and Arthur waited outside. He looked around, observing people talking animatedly, sharing their hopes for the future of the barony. Shortly after, his son came out of the tent even more enthusiastic. “Father, the future is now! I am optimistic about the baron and hope that a kingdom with freedom is truly built.”
Arthur smiled and placed a hand on his son's shoulder. “Me too, son. Let's go back to the forge. We still have a lot of work ahead of us.”
As they walked back, Arthur felt renewed. Participating in the vote, the excitement of the people, and the palpable hope in the air filled him with a sense of purpose. He knew that regardless of the result, the simple act of voting was already a victory for everyone. He looked at his son beside him, feeling proud of the young man he was becoming and for being able to share this historic moment with him.
Upon arriving at the forge, Arthur couldn't stop thinking about how the barony was changing. It was a new beginning, and he was determined to be part of this transformation.
---
It took a week for all the villages to vote and another two days to tally all the votes. During this period, anticipation and anxiety grew throughout the barony. Messengers came and went, bringing the ballot boxes and vote counts from each village, while the citizens eagerly discussed the future of the region.
Finally, all the votes were counted. All the villages voted in favor of independence with an average of 90% approval. Miguel was impressed by the enormous support from the local population. Much of this was due to the food crisis he had managed to resolve with the help of the beast men, thus ensuring the survival and trust of the people.
After the vote count, Miguel realized that the total population of the barony was 21,000 people. Of these, 3,000 were children between 1 and 12 years old, 6,000 were teenagers from 13 to 17 years old, 9,000 were adults from 18 to 50 years old, and the rest were elderly. He also noticed that the female population outnumbered the male, representing 60% of the total, while men were only 40%. This disparity made him curious, making him wonder if it had always been like this and what could have caused such an imbalance.
As he reflected on these numbers, Miguel felt a wave of responsibility. The massive support from the population gave him strength but also increased the pressure to lead and protect his people. He knew that now was the time to prepare for the challenges ahead. Building the wall, organizing defenses, and developing infrastructure were just the first steps of many that would need to be taken to ensure the prosperity and security of the new independent kingdom.
Miguel looked at the maps spread across his desk and the detailed notes he had made in recent weeks. Every decision, every plan, now seemed more important than ever. He knew the road ahead would be arduous, but he was determined to lead with wisdom and courage, inspired by the trust his people had placed in him.
After finishing reviewing the votes and demographic data, Miguel felt a mix of pride and humility. The journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever came next, confident that with the support of his people, he could transform the barony of Drakmoor into a strong and independent kingdom.
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Arthur headed again to the town square, where a large crowd had already gathered. Baron Miguel had summoned everyone for an important announcement. The atmosphere was one of expectation and excitement, as people murmured among themselves, eager to hear their leader's words.
Miguel stood in the center of the square, on an elevated platform, so everyone could see and hear him clearly. Beside him were Ricardo and some soldiers, who ensured order and security. With a wave of his hand, Miguel called for silence, and the crowd gradually quieted.
“My friends, my companions,” Miguel began, his voice firm and filled with emotion. “We are here today to celebrate a historic moment. A week ago, we held a vote in all the villages of this barony. You were called to decide whether you wished to remain under the yoke of the duchy and the kingdom or if you preferred to follow a new path, a path of independence.”
The crowd reacted with murmurs of approval and anticipation. Miguel paused, letting his words resonate.
“Your response was clear and resounding. In every village, in every town, the overwhelming majority voted in favor of independence. Today, with a heart full of pride and gratitude, I declare that the barony of Drakmoor is no longer a barony. We are now an independent kingdom, free from the shackles of the duchy and the kingdom!”
The crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Miguel raised his hands, asking for calm, but the smile on his face showed that he shared in the people’s euphoria.
“This is just the beginning,” he continued, once the crowd had calmed down a bit. “We have a lot of work ahead of us. We will build a strong and just kingdom, where each of you will have a voice and be respected. Together, we will make this place an example of prosperity and freedom.”
Arthur, who was at the front of the crowd, felt a wave of emotion course through him. He looked at his son beside him, seeing the spark of hope in the young man’s eyes. Without hesitation, Arthur shouted a cry that echoed through the square: “King Miguel! King Miguel!”
The crowd followed his lead, repeating the chant in unison. “King Miguel! King Miguel!”
Miguel felt a shiver run down his spine as he listened to the growing chorus. He looked at Ricardo, who smiled and nodded, supporting the acclamation. Miguel raised his hand again, and when the crowd quieted, he spoke with humility.
“Thank you, my friends. I am no more than a servant to all of you. Together, we will build a bright future for our new kingdom. Thank you for trusting in me. Let us move forward, always united!”
The crowd exploded in applause and cheers once again, and Miguel knew at that moment that he was ready to lead his people with courage and wisdom, always faithful to the ideals of freedom and justice.
---
A month had passed since the declaration of independence of the new Kingdom of Drakmoor. Miguel was in his office, immersed in organizing documents and drafting plans for the future. The wall, which now surrounded the entire city, was 90% complete, with only the installation of the southern and western gates remaining. The sight of the imposing structure brought a sense of security and pride to all the inhabitants.
Miguel was pleased with the progress of the automatic ballistae construction. Five more had been completed, and he had shared the project with the beast men, ensuring that for every two ballistae they built, one would be sent to the new Kingdom of Drakmoor. This collaboration strengthened the alliance and increased the defensive capability of both nations.
Now, Miguel was focused on his next major project: paving the city's streets and establishing important routes to strategic villages in the kingdom. He wanted to use bricks, following the example of the ancient Romans, to create durable and efficient roads.
He sat at his desk, took a sheet of paper, and began drawing. First, he sketched the city's streets, highlighting the main roads that needed to be paved. He planned to start with the streets connecting the central square to the gates of the wall, ensuring that the entry and exit routes were the best structured.
Miguel noted the necessary materials: thousands of bricks, sand, and mortar. He planned the mass production of bricks using the molds that Marcus had created. The brick factory was operating at full capacity, and he knew he would need to increase production to meet the demand of this new project.
After finalizing the sketch of the city’s streets, Miguel turned to the maps of the kingdom. He carefully analyzed the villages and towns, looking for the most strategic routes to pave. He wanted to ensure that the roads connected the main agricultural production areas and trade points, facilitating the transportation of goods and the movement of people.
Miguel traced a route that started from the city, passed through three agricultural villages, and continued to the border with the beast men’s territory. He also planned a road that connected the city to a fishing village near the coast. These routes would not only improve the kingdom’s infrastructure but also strengthen the economy and integration between the different communities.
With the detailed plans on paper, Miguel stood up and looked out the window. He could see the bustle of people in the city, the sound of construction tools, and the enthusiasm of the workers. The sight of the nearly completed wall and the thought of the future brick roads brought a feeling of accomplishment and hope.
Miguel knew the work was just beginning, but he was determined to transform the Kingdom of Drakmoor into an example of progress and unity. He sat down again, reviewed the sketches, and prepared to share his plans with Ricardo and the leaders of the beast men. Together, they would pave the way for a bright and prosperous future.