Miguel read the letter sent by Lysandra, and its content left him frustrated. He had only one day until his brother's troops arrived at the barony. Ruidahr was beside him, watching Miguel's reaction with a grave look.

"Only one day," Miguel murmured, as thoughts raced chaotically in his mind. "They have mages too."

In the room, besides Ruidahr, were Ricardo and John, the defense secretary. Miguel was restless, pacing back and forth, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"The projectiles for the catapults are still not enough," he said, frustration evident in his voice. "Only thirty have been produced in a few days. Even if we double the shifts, we might only get twice that."

Ricardo, always calm and pragmatic, suggested an indirect engagement. "We can try to ambush the troops before they reach the wall. Attack and retreat, using the terrain to our advantage."

John, with his military experience, pondered the situation. "They probably already know about the wall. But they might not have brought siege weapons, not at this point. We can use that to our advantage."

Miguel felt the weight of decisions on his shoulders. He knew the only way would be to fight and prevent them from breaching the wall. "Roman concrete should be as strong as it was in my world," he thought to himself. "This has to work."

He took a deep breath and, with a determined look, turned to his advisors. "John, mobilize all soldiers to the wall. The army will try to breach through the front section, I'm sure of it. Ricardo, organize the ambushes. We need to delay them as much as possible before they reach the gates."

John nodded. "We'll fortify the front section and prepare the catapults. The men will be ready."

Ricardo, with a confident smile, added, "We'll show them they underestimated our kingdom. We'll use the terrain to our advantage and cause as much damage as possible before they reach the wall."

Miguel knew he was about to face the toughest battle of his life. The fate of the new kingdom of Drakmoor was at stake, and he needed to use all his intelligence and resources to protect his people. With one last look at his advisors, he said, "Let's get ready. We cannot fail."

Everyone in the room felt the urgency and gravity of the situation. As John and Ricardo left to organize the defenses, Miguel turned to Ruidahr. "We need all the beast men who can fight. Every sword will be crucial."

Ruidahr nodded. "We will be ready, Miguel. We will fight by your side until the end. I will direct some of my best men in ambushes to assist Ricardo."

Miguel felt a mix of anxiety and determination. He looked out the window, observing the wall surrounding the city, and murmured to himself, "We will resist. We will protect our home."

---

The night was cold, and Miguel felt the chilly air cutting his face as he walked along the wall, accompanied by his soldiers. They were all in position, the fifteen automatic ballistae aligned at the main entrance, ready for the imminent battle. The catapults, positioned a bit further away, were loaded with ceramic spheres filled with flammable oil, a desperate but necessary measure given the scarcity of explosive projectiles.

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Miguel took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs and coming out in small clouds of vapor. Winter was approaching, and he could feel its presence intensifying with each breath. Looking at the horizon, he tried to calculate how much time they had left before his brother's army arrived.

Below, in the city, the lights of the houses glowed softly, like small beacons of hope amid the darkness. The distant sounds of the city's activity, mixed with the sound of the wind, created a cacophony that filled the night.

While inspecting the wall, a young soldier approached timidly. He seemed to be just a teenager, barely old enough to fight, but already armed and dressed for battle. His eyes reflected both admiration and concern as he looked at Miguel.

"My lord," the young soldier began hesitantly, "why are you here? You are the king; you should be in a safe place."

Miguel smiled at the boy's innocence and concern. He crouched a bit, getting more on the soldier's level, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"I am different from other kings," Miguel replied with a firm yet gentle tone. "I want to fight alongside my people. A true leader does not hide when his people are in danger."

The young soldier seemed to ponder Miguel's words, still with a look of uncertainty. Miguel continued, his smile widening. "What doesn't kill me makes me stronger," he said, determination shining in his eyes. "And I believe that, together, we can overcome any challenge."

The young soldier slowly nodded, understanding the depth of Miguel's words. There was something inspiring about the way he spoke, a conviction that seemed to infect everyone around him. Miguel gave the boy a light pat on the shoulder before standing up and turning his attention back to the wall.

The cold wind continued to blow, but Miguel did not let it faze him. He knew the battle would be tough, that he would face a formidable army with limited resources. But he also knew he was not alone. With his soldiers, his beast men allies, and the strength of his determination, he was prepared to protect his kingdom at any cost.

As he watched the horizon, he thought about the next steps. There was much to be done and little time to do it. He turned to his commanders, discussing the final strategies and ensuring everyone was ready for the upcoming fight. The night was cold and dark, but the spirit of resistance and courage that Miguel radiated warmed the hearts of his men.

---

Ricardo and a few dozen soldiers and beast men were hidden among the trees, in a meticulously planned ambush. The dense foliage offered effective cover as they anxiously awaited the enemy's advance. Among them, there was a palpable sense of tension and expectation. Ricardo's original plan was more straightforward, but Miguel suggested something he found innovative and potentially devastating.

Miguel had manufactured what he called explosives. They were large paper spheres filled with a mixture of gunpowder and shrapnel. These explosives were strategically positioned along the road where the enemy army would march. Each explosive had a long fuse that, when lit, would lead the spark to the bomb's core.

Ricardo hoped this plan would work. He knew the success of the ambush could delay the enemy by at least a few hours, crucial time for the city's defense preparations.

A rabbit man ran toward Ricardo, his large ears twitching with the urgency of the message. "They are coming," he said, panting. Ricardo could already hear the heavy sound of marching boots and the clanging of armor.

He began to watch the enemy soldiers march, just a few meters from his position. The sight of the disciplined and resolute ranks brought a moment of apprehension. Ricardo knew there was no room for mistakes.

"Light the fuses!" ordered Ricardo, his voice low but firm. The soldiers and beast men quickly obeyed, lighting the fuses. In a few moments, the wires began to glow, slowly leading the spark toward the buried explosives.

As soon as all the fuses were lit, Ricardo signaled for them to mount their horses and quickly distance themselves. They couldn't stay to see the immediate results, but Ricardo knew that patience and precision were essential.

As they rode away, Ricardo heard the sound of explosions starting in the distance. Even from a good distance away, the blasts echoed through the forest. A satisfied smile formed on his face.

The rabbit man beside Ricardo, his large ears picking up distant sounds, said, "I hear screams and disorder. It seems to have worked."

Back on the road, the enemy soldiers were in complete chaos. The front rows, caught off guard by the explosions, were thrown into the air. Fragments of metal, ceramic, and stone flew in all directions, tearing through armor and flesh. The sound of the explosions was deafening, followed by the screams of panic and pain.

"Fire magic!" someone shouted among the enemy soldiers, their voices filled with fear. "They have fire mages!"

The disciplined march had turned into disarray, the soldiers trying to reorganize while dealing with the shock and terror of the explosions. Some threw themselves to the ground, trying to shield themselves from the shrapnel, while others ran aimlessly, panic evident in their eyes.

As Ricardo and his group continued their ride back to the city, he knew they had gained precious time. The ambush had worked, creating temporary chaos in the enemy lines. The smile on his face remained, knowing that every delayed hour was an advantage for Miguel's new kingdom's defense.