The sun rose over House Darsha as Lord Darsha and Sharath Virayan Darsha geared up for an adventure that would test even their renowned logistics. Sharath, now ten, had visited every tricycle personally, examined the magical road roller for transportation stability, and even tested their specially designed carriage's weight capacity.
"NeuroBoop," he murmured, adjusting the tricycles for optimal balance in the carriage, "we're about to show the Emperor and Empress the future of transportation. Please note: sarcasm calibration is critical for this audience."
NeuroBoop replied, in its usual snark: [🐧CREATOR, REMIND ME AGAIN WHY ADULTS IN LONG ROBES AND GOLD TRIM ARE EXPECTED TO APPRECIATE EFFICIENCY, SAFETY, AND MAGICALLY ENHANCED MOBILITY?]
Sharath rolled his eyes. "Because if we don't, then they might imprison us in the dungeon instead of listening to common sense."
The Journey to the CapitalThe entourage journeyed for seven days. The tricycles, with special modifications, performed well on bumpy roads with ideal stability, while the carriage, with slight levitation spells, moved easily over potholed trails. Every night, Sharath would show off the tricycles' speed, maneuverability, and magical resilience to the amazement of surrounding villagers and traveling merchants.
"See," Sharath said the fourth day, cycling around a corner with seamless control, "how even intricate turns involve no balance training. Yes, I know, it's horrifically efficient."
*NeuroBoop: [🐧CREATOR, PEDESTRIANS AND HORSES ALIKE HAVE FILED FORMAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT YOUR DEMONSTRATIONS. HIGH EFFICIENCY CAUSES UNEXPECTED HUMAN JEALOUSY.]
Sharath paid no attention to the remark, going on with his hands-on demonstrations of rolling excellence and cargo haulage.
By the seventh day, spires and towers of the capital were visible on the horizon. Sharath could sense the burden of history bearing down on him: this was where royals and traditionalists alike would either be awed or condemnned.
Entering the PalaceThe following day, Sharath, Lord Darsha, and a small retinue walked into the opulent palace. The corridors shone with gleaming marble floors, golden chandeliers, and tapestries that showed generations of Darshan emperors. Sharath took in the design: a semi-circle court arrangement with high-backed chairs for officials, judges, and counsellors, and facing it directly, two imposing royal thrones for Emperor and Empress themselves.
"This," Sharath grumbled to NeuroBoop, "is essentially a boardroom with grandeur. Also, maximum intimidation quotient."
*NeuroBoop: [🐧CREATOR, STATISTICALLY, ADULTS WITH HIGH BACKED CHAIRS HAVE A 76% PROBABILITY OF TAKING THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY. SUGGESTION: KEEP SARCASM LEVEL AT 98%.]
Sharath smiled. "Noted."
The Demonstration BeginsLord Darsha breathed deeply. "Your Majesties, we come to present innovations that promise to augment transportation and infrastructure across the kingdom."
Sharath, a little behind his father, rolled on a tricycle with a teeny weeny magical stabilizer and cargo deck. He moved unlabored, the tricycle gliding as smoothly as a ship on water.
"Behold," he declared, voice full of barely suppressed pride, "a personal transportation device needing no training, no animal care, and barely a tenth of the price of a horse. Yes, I know that is shocking to a kingdom dedicated to noble horses."
NeuroBoop interrupted: [🐧CREATOR, PLEASE NOTE: EMPEROR MAY SUFFER TRANSIENT RED FACIAL FLUSHES FROM HORSE TRADE ECONOMIC CHALLENGES.]
Sharath cycled past the royal onlookers in a semi-circle, showing elegant turns, handling of cargo, and even coordinated maneuvers with a small group of tricycles. Lords and ladies exchanged hushed whispers, mouths a little open. There was no denying the efficiency.
Then came the road roller and the digging machine, put on exhibition outside the palace courtyard. Sharath switched on the magic, rolling a short patch of the palace grounds flat at the same time it dug a drainage trench. Dirt was conveniently dumped and the stone pathways were neatly levelled.
Your Majesties," Sharath bowed, "consider this extended to the entire kingdom. Smooth, safe, and accessible roads, with little upkeep. Even your carriages will appreciate it."
NeuroBoop, wryly: [🐧CREATOR, EMPEROR'S FACIAL EXPRESSION HINTS AT CONTEMPORANEOUS ASTONISHMENT AND PERHAPS SUSPENSION OF NOBLE PRIDE. PRESCRIBE MONITOR FOR EMOTIONAL COLLAPSE.]
The Court RespondsCouncil members grumbled under their breath. Old advisors who'd lived a lifetime of guarding horse trade monopolies weren't happy. Sharath, noticing the strain, tossed in a nicely timed sarcastic flourish:
"Of course, horses are lovely, and I'm wholeheartedly in favor of their continued service in ceremonial capacities. But if efficiency is an issue… well, let's just say they may want to think about early retirement."
A few of the old men gasped audibly. The Empress raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. The Emperor leaned forward, clearly evaluating Sharath's audacity, innovation, and—dare one say—humor.
*NeuroBoop: [🐧CREATOR, WARNING: HIGH LEVELS OF SARCASM MAY INCREASE LIKELIHOOD OF FORMAL INTERROGATION. PREPARE WITTY JUSTIFICATIONS.]
Sharath smiled innocently. "All in the name of progress, Your Majesty. Also, I promise, tricycles do not bite… usually."
The court burst into stifled laughter, a blend of amazement and awe. Sharath's demonstration had managed to hold attention, if not altogether win hearts.
Cliffhanger: Judgment PendingAs the last tricycle came to rest before the royal thrones and the magic-crammed machines glowed in morning light, a weighty silence descended on the hall.
Sharath glanced at NeuroBoop. "Well, NeuroBoop… I think we've made a great impression. Now comes the scary part: will they accept modern efficiency—or label me a heretic of tradition?"
NeuroBoop responded, almost with glee: [🐧CREATOR, PREPARE FOR HIGH-STAKES JUDGMENT. OLD MEN IN ROBES AND GOLD TRIM MAY TRY TO UNDERMINE YOUR LOGIC, SARCASM, AND GENERAL AWESOME. SUGGEST STRATEGIC SASS DEPLOYMENT.]
Sharath sat up straight on his tricycle, magical stabilizer whirring softly. The Emperor's gaze pierced him. The Empress did not say a word, but her face was serene. The Council of Old Men leaned forward, quills at the ready, whispers emanating in the great hall.
And so, ten-year-old Sharath Virayan Darsha stood before the most formidable test of his early life: persuading an entire empire to believe that magic, engineering, and sarcasm could live together. without revolutionizing horse husbandry.
[🐧TO BE CONTINUED: EMPEROR'S DECISION AND THE COUNCIL OF OLD MEN.]