A week had passed since Miguel began planning to pave the city's streets with bricks. Now, the project was in full swing. Excavations in the central square had started, and the city was in a frenzy of activity. The sound of shovels and pickaxes echoed through the streets as human and beast-men workers joined forces to turn Miguel's dream into reality.

The central square was the heart of the city, and all the paved roads would start from there, connecting to the four gates of the newly constructed wall. Miguel knew that the square was the strategic point to ensure all main routes were efficient and accessible. He got up early every day to supervise the works, ensuring everything went as planned.

The first week of construction was dedicated to excavation and leveling the ground. The road connecting the main gate to the central square was the initial priority. This section was crucial as it facilitated the entry and exit of the city, improving logistics and trade. Ricardo, always by Miguel's side, helped coordinate the workers and solve problems that arose along the way.

The workers began the day by removing the soil and leveling the ground. Then, a layer of smaller stones was placed as a base, ensuring the road's stability. Miguel insisted on precision and quality of work, reminding everyone of the importance of this project for the kingdom's future. As the days went by, the road structure began to take shape.

Marcus and Arthur also played crucial roles in this project. Marcus supervised brick production, ensuring all were of high quality and met demand. Arthur, in turn, provided the necessary technical support for the tools and machinery used in the works.

Midweek, the first bricks began to be laid. It was a meticulous process: each brick had to be carefully set, with mortar prepared on the spot to ensure the road's firmness and durability. The workers, divided into teams, followed Miguel's plan precisely, adjusting the bricks to fit perfectly. The hard work and collaboration between humans and beast-men were evident, and Miguel felt proud seeing the daily progress.

As the road progressed, the city was filled with curious onlookers. Locals stopped to watch the construction, amazed by the transformation happening before their eyes. Some residents, inspired by Miguel's enthusiasm, volunteered to help, further increasing the available workforce.

At the end of the first week, the road connecting the main gate to the central square was completed. Miguel walked the entire length of the new road, inspecting every detail. He noted how the bricks formed a smooth, even surface, suitable for pedestrians, horses, and carriages. The road not only improved mobility within the city but also gave an air of modernity and organization that had not existed before.

On the last day of the week, Miguel gathered all the workers in the central square for a brief thank-you speech. He praised everyone's dedication and hard work, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration for the project's success. The applause and proud expressions on the workers' faces were evident, and Miguel felt a wave of satisfaction seeing the positive impact of his plan.

With the first road completed, Miguel knew there was still much work ahead. He returned to his office, where detailed maps and sketches awaited. Strategic routes needed to be planned, villages connected, and more roads paved. However, with the experience and success of the first week, he was confident they were on the right track to transform Drakmoor into a prosperous and well-connected kingdom.

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As he reviewed the plans for the next stages, Miguel couldn't help but think about the future. He envisioned a vibrant city with well-paved and safe roads, facilitating trade and communication between the villages and the main city. The work was just beginning, but with the determination and support of everyone, Miguel was certain that the dream of an independent and prosperous kingdom was becoming a reality.

---

Miguel was sitting in his office, surrounded by papers, sketches, and notes. The soft afternoon light came through the window, illuminating the desk where he worked. Next to him, Elnar watched attentively, curious to understand the new projects Miguel was about to design.

"Let's start with the iron plow," said Miguel, grabbing a blank sheet and a pencil. He drew the basic structure of the plow, explaining each step to Elnar.

"The first step is to create a sharp, curved iron blade," said Miguel, drawing a robust and pointed blade. "This blade needs to be strong enough to cut through the soil and curved to turn the earth efficiently."

Elnar nodded, interested. "I understand. And how do you plan to connect this blade to the rest of the structure?"

Miguel continued drawing, adding an iron bar that connected the blade to a main wooden frame reinforced with iron. "Here, we'll use an iron bar that will be attached to a wooden frame. The wood will be reinforced with iron strips to ensure durability and strength."

He drew a central axle that allowed the plow to be pulled by a horse or an ox. "This axle will be the connection point to the animal that will pull the plow. We'll use a combination of leather and iron to create a comfortable and secure harness."

Elnar watched closely. "And how will you ensure the plow remains stable while being pulled?"

Miguel drew two small iron stabilizers on the sides of the blade. "These stabilizers will help keep the plow stable and prevent it from moving sideways. Additionally, we'll make adjustments to ensure the blade stays at a constant depth in the soil."

He looked at Elnar, waiting for his opinion. "What do you think so far?"

"This looks very promising," said Elnar, smiling. "But how do you plan to make the plow accessible to all the farmers in your new kingdom?"

Miguel nodded. "We'll mass-produce it. I'll work with Arthur and Marcus to create molds that allow for the serial production of these iron blades. This will reduce the cost and ensure all farmers have access to this new technology, and I am also planning to train new blacksmiths, craftsmen, and carpenters."

With the plow designed, Miguel turned the page and began to draw the windmill. "Now, let's move on to the windmill."

He drew a tall structure with a vertical shaft and four large blades. "The structure will be made of wood reinforced with iron, similar to what we did with the plow. The blades will be long and light, made of a combination of wood and canvas to capture the wind efficiently."

Miguel drew a gear system at the base of the mill. "We'll use wooden gears to transmit the wind's energy to the grinding stones. The idea is that as the wind turns the blades, the gears drive a shaft that rotates the grinding stones."

He drew the grinding stones, detailing how they would be positioned inside the mill structure. "The stones will be adjustable, allowing us to control the fineness of the grinding. This will be crucial to ensure the grains are ground uniformly and efficiently."

Miguel continued. "We'll add an energy storage system. When the wind is strong, part of the energy will be stored in a counterweight that, when needed, can be released to keep the grinding stones rotating. This will ensure the mill operates even on days with little wind."

Elnar nodded, satisfied. "This is really impressive, King Miguel. I'm looking forward to seeing these projects in action."

"Me too," said Miguel, putting away the sketches and standing up. "Let's talk to Arthur and Marcus and start the production of these prototypes. With this new equipment, we'll significantly increase the barony's productivity."

As they prepared to leave, Miguel felt a wave of satisfaction. He knew these projects would not only improve the lives of the barony's inhabitants but also further strengthen the region's independence and self-sufficiency.

Miguel looked at the road project sketch in his office, aware that it would still take a few months to complete. He knew the construction of the roads was essential for the barony's development, but he couldn't just sit around waiting. He needed to start other projects simultaneously, such as the iron plow and the windmill.

While reflecting on the projects, his mind wandered to Lila, the young mage. Miguel knew she needed a tutor to help her control her magic. The church was not a safe option, so he would need to seek help from the beast-men. But besides that, Miguel was concerned about understanding why they wanted Lila dead. What was it about her that attracted so much dangerous attention?

He needed answers and protection for Lila. These thoughts kept him awake at night, but Miguel was determined to find a solution. He knew he couldn't fail. Lila's safety and the kingdom's future depended on his actions. Taking a deep breath, he turned his attention back to the sketches, determined to move forward with all the necessary projects to ensure his new kingdom's prosperity and safety.