Miguel was sitting in his office, the atmosphere filled with a slight tension of expectation. Next to him was Ricardo, ever vigilant. In front of them, four men were seated, former miners of the town who had worked in the old iron mine before it was closed. The men looked at Miguel with a mixture of hope and curiosity.

Miguel began the meeting, carefully observing each of the miners. "Gentlemen, we are here to discuss the possibility of reopening the iron mine. Given the current situation of our new kingdom, we need to maximize all available resources, and this mine could be crucial."

The miners exchanged excited glances. One of them, an older man with visible scars on his calloused hands, took the lead. "My lord, this mine was our source of livelihood for many years. When the old baron disappeared and the mine was closed, our lives became much harder. We are eager to return to work."

Miguel nodded, understanding the mine's importance to the community. "I understand. I am willing to pay a fair wage, with monthly silver coins and an annual bonus of two gold coins for each of you. The work you will do is vital to our prosperity."

The miners' faces lit up with the promise of a stable and fair wage. However, one of them, a middle-aged man with graying hair, raised a concern. "My lord, there is a problem. We no longer have carts to transport the iron ore. The carts were broken or are being used to transport raw materials for bricks."

Miguel frowned, recognizing the gravity of the situation. He needed to solve the cart issue to ensure the mine's reopening was viable. "I understand. This is a significant problem. But it is not insurmountable."

He paused, thinking quickly. "We will authorize an expedition to the mine to check its conditions. You four will lead this expedition and will be accompanied by some soldiers for protection. Meanwhile, I will start working on a project to build new carts."

The miners nodded, visibly relieved by Miguel's decision. The prospect of reopening the mine and returning to work was a great relief for them. Miguel felt a weight on his shoulders, knowing that the responsibility to provide the necessary means to get the mine operational again fell on him.

After the miners left, Ricardo remained by Miguel's side. "Do you really think we can build new carts in time?"

Miguel sighed, but there was determination in his eyes. "We have no choice, Ricardo. We need that iron ore to strengthen our position. I am thinking of talking to the beastmen Ruidahr brought, it seems there are blacksmiths and carpenters among them, they can help design and build the carts. We can use wood and reinforce it with metal where necessary."

Ricardo nodded, trusting Miguel's judgment. "I will organize the expedition and ensure that the miners and soldiers leave tomorrow morning."

"Great," replied Miguel. "Let's solve this together. Every step we take is a step toward the independence and prosperity of our new kingdom."

With that, Ricardo left to prepare the expedition, while Miguel began sketching ideas for the new carts.

Miguel was back in his office, the soft light of late afternoon streaming through the windows. He sat at his desk with a large blank sheet of parchment before him. He knew that designing a more efficient cart would be crucial to solving the logistical problem he faced with reopening the iron mine.

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He took a deep breath and picked up a quill and ink. His thoughts buzzed with ideas as he began to draw. First, Miguel sketched the base of the cart. The basic structure would be made of sturdy wood, reinforced with iron bars for greater durability. He decided that the cart should be longer and wider than the current ones to maximize load capacity, but without compromising maneuverability. The cart would be approximately four meters long, two meters wide, and one meter high from the ground to the top edge. The choice of material fell on oak wood, known for its strength, reinforced with iron bars.

Next, he drew the wheels. Instead of simple wooden wheels, he opted for larger wheels with iron rims and internal reinforcements to better support the weight and rough terrain. The wheels would have a diameter of approximately one meter and twenty centimeters, made of oak wood with iron rims and internal metal reinforcements. The axle would be made of iron, lubricated with oil to reduce friction.

Miguel knew that suspension was crucial to prevent the cart from being damaged on uneven terrain. He designed a basic suspension system using steel springs, something that was not common at the time but he knew was possible. He positioned the steel springs between the cart's structure and the wheel axle, allowing the impacts of the terrain to be cushioned, increasing the cart's durability and the safety of the load.

For the cargo area, Miguel designed removable sides that could be raised or lowered as needed. This would allow for easier loading and unloading of the iron ore. The sides would be made of reinforced wood and adjustable, allowing for a capacity of up to two tons of iron ore.

Finally, he added an innovative detail: a wheel locking system. This would allow the cart to remain stationary during loading and unloading, increasing the workers' safety. The system would consist of a manually operated iron lever, positioned near the wheels, easily accessible to the operator.

Miguel stepped back from the drawing and examined it carefully. He was satisfied with what he saw. The cart looked sturdy, efficient, and practical. He knew that this could make a big difference in the logistics of his new kingdom.

Miguel stood up from the desk and looked at the sketch once more, feeling confident in the solution he had found. He knew that this cart design could be the first step toward creating a more efficient and lasting infrastructure.

The next morning, Miguel met with a pair of brothers who were beaver men, very experienced with wood. Along with them was also a beastman with the appearance of a black panther. Miguel tried not to show his fascination and a bit of strangeness towards the beings in front of him. He showed and explained the cart sketch to the three.

"Here is the sketch of the cart we need to build," said Miguel, pointing out the details on the large parchment spread out on the table. "The base will be made of sturdy wood, reinforced with iron bars. The larger wheels with iron rims will ensure better durability on rough terrain. And this suspension system with steel springs... it's something innovative that I believe will increase the cart's efficiency."

The beaver brothers, named Bearnard and Bartholomew, studied the sketch with interest. Their furry and skilled hands went over the details of the drawing, while they exchanged low and quick comments between them, clearly impressed by the complexity and innovation of the project.

Miguel then turned to the panther man. "Do you think you can create the iron parts of the cart?"

The black panther, who was called Nyall, looked directly at Miguel, his golden eyes shining with confidence. "Yes," Nyall replied in a deep, smooth voice. "I brought my own materials and tools. With an adequate supply of iron, I can forge these parts easily."

Miguel nodded, pleased with the response. "That's good. We will provide the necessary iron so you can work without hindrance."

Bearnard, the older of the beaver brothers, spoke next. "We can start working immediately. We will need to go to the nearby forest to collect the necessary oak. The main structure can be erected in no time."

Miguel looked at the brothers with anticipation. "How long do you think it will take to have a prototype of the cart ready?"

Bartholomew, the younger, answered enthusiastically. "In a week, at most. Your sketch is very detailed and easy to follow. With everyone working together, it will be a quick process."

Miguel smiled, relieved by the positive response. "I am glad to hear that. I appreciate your readiness and commitment. I will offer a fair payment for your work."

The three left, leaving Miguel alone in the office. He got up from his chair, feeling a mixture of relief and determination. He walked to the window, picked up a bottle of wine, and filled his glass. The city stretched out before him, with its construction in progress and the movement of workers. The new kingdom of Drakmoor was beginning to take shape in a promising way.

As he looked out at the view, Miguel thought about the many tasks and challenges he still had ahead. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. He took a sip of wine, feeling the robust and full-bodied flavor of the drink. He knew that every small step, every innovation, and every collaboration with the beastmen brought him closer to his goal: to transform Drakmoor into a prosperous and self-sufficient kingdom. And with the help of his new allies, he was determined to achieve this dream.