The origin of the steam tank came from a Tyrian named Leonardo da Milagliano, who was born 400 years ago in the city of Tyrian.
He started out as a painter and got a decent job as a painter and sculptor in the city of Tyrian. However, he soon became obsessed with architecture, engineering, and physics. Among them, he was especially obsessed with the dwarven ironclads. After spending years of hard work to understand the dwarven steam technology, Leonardo set out to build his own ironclads.
At that time, Tyrian didn't have the resources to fulfill Leonardo's dream. Therefore, the famous engineer began to serve the Empire. His talent in firearms, cannons, and war machines allowed the Empire to complete the first organized firearms and cannons. They even had the ability to mass produce them. Leonardo's genius ideas and amazing talent quickly made him an honored guest of the Empire.
Therefore, he began to try to build a "dwarven ironclads" that could cross the ocean.
After more than a decade and countless experiments, Leonardo cracked the dwarven steam technology, designed countless ironclads, and wrote countless works on engineering and gunpowder. After many years, he finally built a "steam ironclads" that looked decent. Then, he wanted to complete his feat of crossing the ocean.
The first test failed. After the ship entered the water, the compressed steam engine was overloaded, and the entire ship exploded. Leonardo was blasted into the water and survived.
However, he didn't give up. He believed that his work was a success. Since it didn't work in the water, he changed it to a "land ironclads." Learning from the fact that the compressed steam engine could explode, he reduced the size of the ironclads.
Thus, the steam tank, a superweapon that belonged to mankind, was created. In the remaining decades of Leonardo's life, he built 12 prototype steam tanks.
Unfortunately, as Leonardo entered his later years, his mind was filled with a brand-new invention. He tried to create a flying war machine. He named this war machine "Helicopter." When he created the real thing and tried to fly it, an explosion and crash caused the Empire to lose their chief engineer forever. Along with the explosion, the entire Engineer Academy and his workshop were destroyed. Even the blueprint of the steam tank was lost. Since then, the Empire could no longer produce steam tanks that were as powerful as the 12 prototypes.
In order to restore the design of the steam tank, the engineers of the Empire spent a lot of time and energy. After trying to take apart the internal structure of the steam tank, the engineers were surprised to find that the internal structure of each prototype was completely different! This made it even more difficult to restore the steam tank prototypes. When they tried to take apart the prototypes to understand and test the internal structure, two prototypes were declared to be scrapped forever. This shocked the Emperor and the Kurfürst. The angry nobles couldn't allow the steam tank, a superweapon, to be scrapped for the so-called "experiment" of the engineers instead of fighting evil. They forbade the engineers from taking apart the steam tank for research.
Four hundred years had passed. Only eight prototypes were left. Two of them were completely destroyed in the war, and the other two were scrapped in the experiment.
Things took a turn for the better in the great holy war 160 years ago. When Ludwig the Savior led the steam tanks of the Empire to the frontline, he was shocked by the power of the steam tanks. Such a superweapon could fight an entire legion of Warriors of Chaos on its own and deal with the behemoths. Even the strongest Chaos Troll couldn't withstand a perfect shot from a steam cannon.
After the New Empire was established, the Savior gathered the engineers of the entire Empire again and tried to restore the drawings of the steam tanks. This time, they achieved some success. After decades, they replicated the "Conqueror" steam tank, which was inferior in power and size to the original. Nur became the only place that could produce and maintain steam tanks.
"We've tried many times, but none of the new steam tanks can be as stable and powerful as the original." The chief engineer of the Nur Military Factory, Gunter Maybach, said in a tough tone, "But I have to say that the steam tanks made in the future won't be too bad. Have you tasted the power of the steam tanks in the Battle of Helmgat?"
Laing's face darkened. Maybach was talking about the Battle of Helmgat, the battle between the allied forces of the Empire's Rick and Ivy Hill and the Brittany's Parawon Duchy. It was the steam tanks that completely turned the tide of the battle.
The chief engineer was mocking the poor technology of the Knight King Kingdom. How dare you look down on the Nur Military Factory for not being able to make a prototype?
Laing had nothing to say. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Okay, Mr. Maybach, please continue."
"Ahem, ahem." Chief Engineer Noor was wondering why the crown prince of the Kingdom of Knights and the champion of the Lady of the Lake wasn't angered. Noor was quite an elegant and easy-going person. Noor's initial dissatisfaction with Clayon disappeared quite a bit. Maybach coughed a few times and then introduced, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. Let us continue."
Maybach led the group into the depths of the factory. Under extremely tight security, a huge military factory was opened. There were seven or eight steam tanks inside. The moment Laing and the others appeared, the senior technical workers and Nur engineers stopped what they were doing. They immediately saluted Emilia. "Welcome, Your Excellency."
"Very good. Continue with your work." Emilia nodded majestically and then held Suria's arm. "Sister Suria, what do you think? These are all the crystallization of human technology! Amazing, right? "
"Amazing." Suria smiled and nodded at Emilia.
The group first came to the first steam tank under Maybach's guidance. The chief engineer lifted the canvas.
What was exposed in front of them was a steam tank with a yellowish color. Like all steam tanks, it was composed of a vehicle body, a rotating turret, and a steam structure at the rear of the vehicle body. It was about three meters tall and was painted with many coats of arms and emblems, including the Empire's iron cross, skull, and warhammer, as well as the Nur's two-tailed comet and golden griffin. It was equipped with a ram, a three-barreled revolving hell wind gun, and a small steam cannon with a rotating turret.
"The first steam tank to be successfully replicated." Maybach nodded. "The first product. We usually call it 'Hell Grade' or 'Old Buddy Grade'."
"As you can see, this steam tank is much smaller than ordinary steam tanks, and it is not equipped with a large steam cannon. Instead, it is equipped with a three-barreled revolving hell wind gun. This is because the technology at that time was not mature enough. We could only use the prototype as a template to reduce the size of the structure and remove the oversized steam cannon. The purpose was to deal a lot of damage in a short period of time."
"Facts have proven that its power is indeed amazing. In a short period of time, the Hell Grade steam tank can deal a lot of damage to the enemy, but … it is also the same for our own people. Before the Hell Grade production stopped, we produced a total of five of these Hell Grade tanks. After that, we stopped production, but most of the Hell Grade tanks are still in service."
"Okay." Laing nodded. The Hell Grade or Old Buddy Grade tanks were the first batch of replicas. After mastering the technology, Nur obviously would not mass produce this type of tank.
Lifting the canvas of the second tank, a very special tank appeared in front of everyone. This steam tank was not equipped with any weapons, and even the revolving turret was removed. Instead, it was replaced by a bigger ram and a bigger body. Its height was close to 3.5 meters.
"Warhammer Grade Steam Tanks. All weapons have been removed. They are specifically used to fight enemies in the cold weather of the North, where it is inconvenient to distribute and replenish ammunition. The modified and strengthened steam-powered structure is enough to knock over an entire troll or ogre." Maybach continued, "But obviously, this is not our original intention in designing the steam tank, so we only produced two."
Following that was the third steam tank. This steam tank had removed the revolving turret and was equipped with a super-heavy steam cannon. There were also two rotating long-barreled firearms on both sides.
"The Heartless Grade steam tank has removed the revolving turret and given the position to this super-heavy cannon. This type of tank is specially used to deal with enemy war machines and behemoths. The rotating firearms are enough to deal with enemies on both sides. Without the revolving turret, the tank is faster, but it also greatly weakens its defensive ability. We have produced a total of seven, and now there are five Heartless Grade steam tanks in service."
The canvas of the fourth steam tank was also lifted. This steam tank had removed the revolving turret and replaced it with a small platform with a railing.
"The Chariot Grade steam tank is not a successful prototype. We removed the revolving turret and replaced it with a platform. Five to eight soldiers can provide firepower support on the platform." Maybach pointed at the scarred platform. "Facts have proven that it is indeed very powerful, but we need to train the soldiers to not be dizzy or tired for a long time. Also, because of the weight, it is slow. We only produced three."
Looking at the modified steam tanks, Laing nodded. It could be seen that Nur's research on steam tanks was not stagnant. Instead, they had been trying to modify them. These great engineers of the Empire were slowly exploring the direction of progress.
"The Conqueror Grade." The chief engineer pointed at the fifth tank. This tank was very similar to the tank Laing and the others had seen. It was a standard steam tank with a revolving turret and a steam engine behind it. It was about four meters tall and was equipped with large cannons. The revolving turret was equipped with small steam cannons and a ram. "This is the version closest to the original model. It is also the most produced version. Since the blueprint of the Conqueror Grade was completed, the Nur Military Factory has produced a total of 43 tanks. Currently, there are more than 20 in service."
"Steam tanks. What an amazing engineering miracle." Laing noticed that there were three or four identical Conqueror Grade steam tanks in the factory. He nodded. "Today has really opened my eyes."
"Finally, let us formally introduce to you the pride of Nur, the Savior!"
A five-meter-tall steam tank appeared in front of everyone. Everyone looked at this steam tank in surprise. It was painted black and looked brand new. A cross, a golden scale, a Nuer's Golden Lion, a skull, and a golden griffin decorated this huge war machine.
"The Savior is one of the twelve steam tank prototypes made by Leonardo Milagliano. This tank has served the Empire for about four hundred years. It once single-handedly took on an entire gang of Chosen Warriors on the battlefield. It once smashed the head of a demon prince with one shot. Its outstanding performance on the battlefield made it a legend." "In the great Holy War, the invincible Savior fought alongside His Majesty Ludwig the Savior. It caused countless damage to the enemy. Even after His Majesty Ludwig left us, the Savior inherited His Majesty's will. It didn't give up on Nur. When the war was at its most critical, we firmly believed that the Savior was with us!" The Maybach's voice was filled with pride.
"The Savior is the pride of Nur." Emilia's face was also faintly proud. The Duchess of the Empire stepped closer to the Savior and looked at the mighty steam tank prototype. "It's much more powerful than the Conqueror replicas. It has encountered many difficulties in the past four hundred years, but it has never failed."
Laing nodded with his eyes closed. At the same time, he was secretly thinking about other things.
Good stuff! I want it!
Also, why is the steam tank like a Gundam? Prototypes (trial machines) are always superior to MOCs?
"The Savior is currently under maintenance." Maybach continued. "This is also an antique. Even if we constantly replace parts and repair them, the Savior must be properly maintained. This is the only steam tank prototype left in Nur."
"What about the other prototypes?" Laing asked casually.
"They are distributed in other provinces and free cities of the Empire. For example, the famous' Conqueror 'belongs to Brunswick, the' Emperor's Wrath 'belongs to White Wolf, the' Twin-Tailed Comet 'belongs to Brunswick, the' Milagliano 'belongs to Tara Beheim, and so on." The Maybach nodded. "These weapons of mass destruction will only be deployed during the most critical moments. It is almost impossible to get these prototypes to participate in battle together. The last time these prototypes participated in battle together was more than 130 years ago. At that time, there was a huge WAAAGH attack on Kallon Castle. His Majesty Ludwig ordered three prototypes and six steam tanks to participate in the battle and defeated the WAAAGH! They also killed the Green-Skinned Warlord Jitlipa on the spot. "
"Yes." Laing nodded heavily. He still wanted to say something, but Maybach waved his hand. "Alright, Mr. Laing and Mrs. Suria, you have finished your tour. The tank needs maintenance. Please let us move to another place."
Laing and Suria both wanted to take a look, but Maybach's attitude became firm. Emilia secretly shook her head at Laing. Laing could only agree. "Alright, Mr. Maybach. Other than the steam tank, what else can you show us?"
The chief engineer hesitated. Maybach held the wrench in his hand and gave Emilia a look.
My Countess?
"Let him see. It's not like he will get pregnant," Emilia said unhappily.
"Alright then." Maybach nodded to show that he understood. He brought everyone to a new factory. "Just as well, we have two new projects planned recently."
"First, the mechanical horse technology!" A human engineer was riding a mechanical horse made entirely of machinery. It was running back and forth in the open space. The mechanical horse smashed all the obstacles on the road.
Laing couldn't help but laugh. This mechanical horse reminded him of something.
Original author: Shotaro Ishinori.
"And … a brand new giant war machine."
"We name it … Land Ship!"
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
