The son of the God-Emperor in Warhammer Fantasy

The origin of the steam tank traces back to a Tyrellian named Leonardo da Miragliano, born four hundred years ago in the city-states of Tyrell.

Leonardo started as a painter in the culturally rich Tyrell, where he gained prominence as a painter and sculptor. However, he soon became obsessed with architecture, engineering, and physics. Among his fascinations was the dwarven steam ironclad. After years of painstaking study of dwarven steam technology, Leonardo set out to create his own steam ironclad.

At the time, Tyrell could not support Leonardo's ambitions, so the renowned engineer began working for the Empire. His talents in firearms, cannons, and war machines led the Empire to establish the first regiments of muskets and cannons, with mass production capabilities. Leonardo's genius ideas and remarkable talents quickly made him a valued guest of the Empire.

He then attempted to build a steam ironclad capable of crossing the ocean—a "human version of a dwarven steam ironclad."

After spending more than a decade and conducting countless experiments, Leonardo cracked the dwarven steam technology. He designed numerous ironclad blueprints and wrote many treatises on engineering and gunpowder. After years of effort, he finally built a prototype steam ironclad and aimed to achieve his feat of crossing the ocean.

The first test failed. The ship exploded due to an overloaded compressed steam power unit when it entered the water. Leonardo was thrown into the water but managed to survive.

He did not give up, convinced of his design's success. Since water proved unsuitable, he turned to the "land ironclad," learning from the explosion of the compressed steam power unit and scaling down his design.

Thus, the steam tank, a superweapon of human creation, was born. In the remaining decades of his life, Leonardo built twelve prototype steam tanks.

Unfortunately, as Leonardo aged, his thoughts were consumed by a new invention—an attempt to create a flying war machine, which he named the "helicopter." During a test flight of his prototype, an explosion and crash resulted in the Empire losing its chief engineer. The blast destroyed the entire engineering academy and his workshop, along with the steam tank blueprints and other designs. Consequently, the Empire could no longer produce steam tanks as powerful as the twelve prototypes.

The Empire's engineers devoted countless time and effort to restore the steam tank's design. Upon dismantling the prototypes, they were astonished to find each had a unique internal structure! This discovery increased the difficulty of replicating the prototypes. During their research, two prototypes were permanently destroyed. The Emperor and the Elector Counts were shocked and outraged that such superweapons were wasted on experiments rather than fighting evil, leading to a ban on further dismantling the tanks for research.

Four hundred years later, eight of the twelve prototypes remain. Two were completely destroyed in battle, and two were lost to experiments.

A turning point occurred 160 years ago during the Great War. When Ludwig the Savior led the Empire's steam tanks to the front lines, he was awed by their power. These superweapons could single-handedly combat entire Chaos warbands and giant beasts. Even the strongest Chaos Trolls couldn't withstand a well-placed shot from a steam cannon.

After founding the new Empire, Ludwig the Savior gathered the Empire's engineers to recreate the steam tank blueprints. This time, they achieved some success. After decades of effort, they replicated the "Conqueror-class" steam tanks, slightly smaller and less powerful than the prototypes. Nur became the only place capable of producing and repairing steam tanks.

"We've tried many times, but no new steam tank matches the stability and power of the prototypes." Gunther Maybach, the chief engineer of the Nur Military Factory, said firmly. "But the steam tanks produced afterward are still formidable. Did you experience their power in the Battle of Helmgart?"

Ryan's face darkened. Maybach referred to the Battle of Helmgart, where the Imperial forces of Reikland and Averland clashed with Bretonnia's Duchy of Parravon. The steam tanks' involvement had turned the tide.

The chief engineer was mocking the technological shortcomings of the knightly kingdom while dismissing Nur's inability to replicate the prototypes.

Ryan had no retort. He shrugged and accepted, "Alright, please continue, Mr. Maybach."

"Excuse me, I didn't mean to offend. Let's continue." Maybach, seeing Ryan's calm demeanor, softened his attitude. He led the group deeper into the factory, where a heavily guarded giant workshop was revealed, housing seven or eight steam tanks. As Ryan and his group entered, the senior technicians and Nur engineers paused their work and saluted Emilia, "Welcome, Lady Duchess."

"Very well, continue your work." Emilia nodded with authority, then linked arms with Sulia. "Sulia, isn't it amazing? These are the pinnacles of human technology!"

"Truly impressive." Sulia smiled, nodding at Emilia.

Maybach guided the group to the first steam tank, unveiling it. The tank, slightly yellowed, featured the familiar steam tank structure with a rotating turret and rear steam apparatus, standing about three meters tall. Its surface bore numerous crests and emblems, including the Empire's Iron Cross, skulls, warhammers, Nur's Twin-Tailed Comet, and the Golden Griffin. It was equipped with a ram, a three-barreled rotary Hellstorm gun, and a small steam cannon on the turret.

"The first successful steam tank replica," Maybach nodded. "We call it the 'Hell-class' or 'Old Buddy-class.'"

"As you can see, this steam tank is much smaller than the regular ones and lacks a large steam cannon, replaced by a three-barreled rotary Hellstorm gun due to immature technology. The aim was to cause significant damage in a short time."

"The Hell-class tank proved highly effective, inflicting great damage in short bursts, but it also harmed our troops. We produced five of these before stopping, but most are still in service."

Ryan nodded. The Hell-class or Old Buddy-class tanks were the first replicas. Once they mastered the technology, Nur stopped mass-producing these tanks.

The second tank unveiled was unique, lacking any armament or turret. Instead, it had a larger ram and a bulkier frame, standing nearly 3.5 meters tall.

"The Warhammer-class steam tank," Maybach introduced. "It has no weapons, designed for combat in frigid northern environments where resupply is difficult. Its reinforced steam structure can topple trolls and ogres, but this wasn't our original intent, so we only made two."

The third steam tank, unveiled next, had no rotating turret but featured an ultra-heavy steam cannon and two rotating long-barrel muskets on its sides.

"The Ruthless-class steam tank," Maybach continued. "It replaced the turret with an ultra-heavy steam cannon to counter enemy war machines and beasts. The rotating muskets handle flanking enemies. Without a turret, it's faster but less armored. We made seven; five are still in service."

The fourth tank lacked a turret, replaced by a small platform with railings.

"The Chariot-class steam tank," Maybach said. "An unsuccessful prototype, replacing the turret with a platform for five to eight soldiers to provide fire support. It proved powerful but required trained soldiers to avoid dizziness and fatigue. Its weight slowed it down, so we only made three."

As they toured these modified steam tanks, Ryan nodded, impressed by Nur's continuous experimentation rather than stagnation. The Imperial engineers were cautiously progressing.

"The Conqueror-class." Maybach pointed to the fifth tank. It matched the standard steam tank design Ryan was familiar with—a body, rotating turret, and rear steam apparatus, standing about four meters tall, equipped with a large cannon, a small steam cannon on the turret, and a ram. "This is the closest version to the prototype, also the most produced. Since completing the Conqueror-class blueprints, Nur has made forty-three, with over twenty still in service."

"Steam tanks are remarkable engineering marvels." Ryan noted the three or four identical Conqueror-class tanks in the workshop, nodding. "Today has truly opened my eyes."

"Finally, let us proudly present our pride of Nur, the Savior!"

A five-meter-tall steam tank stood before them, its entire body freshly painted black, adorned with crosses, golden scales, Nur's golden lion, skulls, and golden griffins.

"The Savior, one of the twelve prototype steam tanks made by Master Leonardo da Miragliano. This tank has served the Empire for about four hundred years. It has faced an entire Chaos Chosen warband alone and shattered a Daemon Prince's skull with a single shot. Its battlefield prowess has made it legendary." Maybach proclaimed proudly. "During the Great War, the invincible Savior fought alongside Emperor Ludwig, inflicting countless devastating blows on the enemy. Even after Ludwig's passing, the Savior carried on his will, never abandoning Nur. In times of dire need, we believe the Savior stands with us!"

"It's the pride of Nur." Emilia's face showed a faint pride as she approached the imposing prototype steam tank. "Its power far exceeds the Conqueror-class replicas. Over four centuries, it has faced many challenges but never failed."

Ryan nodded in agreement, his thoughts secretly elsewhere.

What a treasure! I really want one!

Also, why does the steam tank seem like a Gundam, with prototypes (test models) always outperforming mass-produced versions?

"The Savior is currently undergoing maintenance." Chief Engineer Maybach continued. "It's an old relic. Despite constant part replacements and repairs, it requires proper upkeep. It's the last prototype steam tank we have in Nur."

"What about the other prototypes?" Ryan asked casually.

"They're distributed across other Imperial provinces and free cities. For example, the famed 'Conqueror' belongs to Reik

land, 'Emperor's Wrath' to Middenheim, 'Twin-Tailed Comet' to Altdorf, and 'Miragliano' to Talabecland, among others." Maybach nodded. "These superweapons are deployed only in extreme emergencies. Getting all prototypes to fight together is nearly impossible. The last time they did was over a century ago, during a massive Waaagh! assault on Karond Kar. Emperor Ludwig ordered three prototypes and six steam tanks into battle, crushing the Waaagh! and killing the greenskin warlord Gitlypa."

Ryan nodded heavily. He wanted to say more, but Maybach waved his hand. "Alright, Lord Ryan and Lady Sulia, you've seen enough. The tanks need maintenance. Let's move on."

Ryan and Sulia wished to stay longer, but Maybach's attitude turned firm. Emilia subtly shook her head at Ryan, prompting him to agree. "Very well. Mr. Maybach, besides the steam tanks, what else can you show us?"

The chief engineer hesitated, gripping his wrench and glancing at Emilia.

"My lady?"

"Show him. It's not like he'll get pregnant from looking." Emilia retorted.

"Alright then." Maybach nodded, leading the group to a new workshop. "We have two new project plans."

"First, mechanical horse technology!" A human engineer rode a fully mechanical horse, smashing obstacles in its path.

Ryan couldn't help but laugh, reminded of something.

Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori.

"And… a new giant war machine."

"We call it… the Landship!"

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