"So you're an insider!" Paimon immediately bombarded Brady with questions, floating excitedly in circles around him. "What amazing things are they going to show today?"
"Of course I know!" The young worker puffed out his chest proudly, then crossed his arms with mock seriousness. "But I won't reveal a single detail! The presentation is about to start, you'll see for yourselves soon enough!"
"Ugh! Why so secretive?" Paimon stomped her tiny foot midair, her voice rising an octave. "You don't actually know, do you?"
A faint blush crept across Brady's face as he scratched his head. "W-well... I mean... I didn't score high enough to be a demo driver today, but I know all about the heavy machinery! We had weeks of training..."
Lumine and Paimon mirrored each other's skeptical expressions, arms akimbo.
"Told you he's clueless!" Paimon declared triumphantly.
Their bickering was interrupted by a growing roar of excitement from down the canyon. As they turned, the ground began vibrating beneath their feet.
Emerging from a cloud of dust came an awe-inspiring procession of steel behemoths. Leading the parade were ten Cider Lake transports moving in perfect formation. Though dwarfed by the massive Brightcrown models, their 12-meter frames still towered over the crowd, their polished surfaces gleaming in the morning sun.
"Whoaaa!" Paimon's jaw dropped as the convoy thundered past at 60 km/h, the wind whipping through Lumine's golden hair.
A mechanized voice boomed from the lead vehicle: "Cider Lake Transport ─ 45-ton payload capacity. Maximum speed 100 km/h. Can traverse from Mondstadt City to Liyue Harbor in under twelve hours..."
Next came five Dawn transports—three cargo variants with container beds and two passenger models with sleek, windowed cabins. The crowd's cheers intensified as these larger vehicles passed.
But the Academy City had more surprises in store.
A parade of specialized construction vehicles followed, each more impressive than the last:
"Marx & Engels MK. I Excavator - 20-meter extendable arm with 7-cubic-meter bucket capacity. The upcoming MK. II Bucket Wheel model will feature 100-meter arms for large-scale mining operations..."
"Colossus MK. I Mobile Crane..."
"Dio MK. I Road Compactor..."
"Bonecrusher MK. I Bulldozer..."
Some rolled on massive treads, others on innovative eight-legged arachnid chassis that could traverse near-vertical surfaces. The demonstration showcased three interchangeable mobility systems for all-terrain operation.
Just as the last vehicle disappeared toward the Academy City, a deep rumble shook the canyon. The crowd turned as one to see three Brightcrown transports approaching like moving fortresses, their sheer size drawing gasps from even the most jaded observers.
"Brightcrown Heavy Transport ─ 2,600-ton payload capacity. 300 km/h maximum speed. Stable operation on 30-degree inclines and shallow aquatic environments up to 6 meters deep. Advanced independent hydraulic suspension and hub motor systems provide unparalleled off-road capability across Teyvat's varied terrain..."
While most spectators didn't understand the technical jargon, the message was clear: these machines represented a technological leap beyond anything previously imagined.
…
…
Sucrose guided the lead Brightcrown through the canyon into the prepared demonstration area, where each vehicle type had its own exhibition space staffed by development team members. For three days, the site would remain open to merchants and citizens alike before security protocols locked down the construction zone.
After briefing investors, Sucrose excused herself to prepare for the performance demonstration. Shen Qin addressed the assembled dignitaries: "Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to showcase the Brightcrown's true capabilities."
As the group moved toward the demonstration area, Jean fell into step beside Shen Qin. "To think you've accomplished all this in mere weeks," she marveled. "That future you showed us no longer seems so distant."
"Put credit where it's due, this only happened because you gave me Stormterror's Lair," Shen Qin replied with a chuckle. "I only planned a modest research facility, but with that much space... well, might as well dream big."
His tone turned thoughtful. "Though honestly, I expected to introduce technology gradually. Not this... industrial revolution."
Jean raised an eyebrow. "Regrets?"
"None whatsoever." His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Between the wine, the fishing, and my growing Genius Invokation TCG collection, life here is too good to complain."
Barring another Archon War, he could see himself living peacefully in Mondstadt for decades—perhaps centuries, if he ever unlocked that immortality tech from the system.