I Became a Witch and Started an Industrial Revolution

Chapter 247 : Tiger? Tig… Tiger!

“Third Heavy Tank, project codename 03—Tiger.”“The main gun caliber was 88mm. The vehicle length was 8.55 meters, with a total length of 10.35 meters including the barrel. The frontal armor was 122mm. The initial self-weight was 70 tons, and after activating anti-gravity, the final combat weight was 55 tons.”

“The engine used was a 16-cylinder magitech engine, with a maximum output of 1,050 horsepower and a top speed of 65 km/h. It adopted an integrated crystal energy pack for power supply, with a range of about 450 km. Off-road conditions were expected to reduce the range by 35%. If necessary, it could directly use the magic power of the shield generator for energy supply, increasing the range by approximately 125 km.”

The expert beside her rattled off the specifications endlessly. Mitia stroked her chin, staring thoughtfully at the massive machine in front of her, which stood nearly 3.5 meters tall.

A self-weight of 70 tons? This was practically apocalyptic-level technology.

“Although maintenance was somewhat complicated… its reliability was extremely high. At the same time, the main gun had excellent accuracy. It carried around 130 rounds of ammunition: 30 tungsten arrow-shaped armor-piercing shells, 60 shaped-charge armor-piercing shells, and 40 high-explosive shells. It was simple to operate and possessed extremely strong protection.”

“The energy compartments were interconnected. Its large onboard shield generator could fully withstand Saint-level attacks. Ordinary mechanical units and mage spells were completely incapable of shaking it. The equipped arrow-shaped armor-piercing shells and shaped-charge armor-piercing shells could penetrate any known defensive shield when hitting head-on.”

“I understand all that, but are you sure the maintenance is only ‘somewhat complicated’?”

Mitia lowered her head to look at the interleaved road wheels on the chassis. Even before it started moving, she could already feel the “joy” of logistics.

The dwarven expert adjusted his reading glasses. “...Yes, but that is under the premise that it is supported by a professionally trained mechanical logistics corps. With specialized tools and skilled technicians, the maintenance speed would not be slow.”

“Moreover, due to its vertical armor design, the internal space was very spacious. The overall vehicle body was relatively simple to manufacture, fully meeting our requirements for mass production.”

Mitia remained noncommittal. A boxy hull was indeed easier to produce—but that depended on the situation. The hull could be made quickly, but welding the turret was not. The fastest method was still a cast turret, which allowed true mass production.

However, this heavy tank was clearly designed entirely around the 88mm gun. Rather than calling it a tank, it would not be wrong to call it a heavy artillery platform.

And she still needed to consider practical needs based on actual conditions.

The tank classification system of the Seris Alliance was very clear.

Light tanks had a combat weight of around 16 tons, mainly serving as fire support for mechanized infantry. Their weight allowed them to adapt to most terrains, and the chassis platform was highly versatile—amphibious tanks, anti-aircraft tanks, self-propelled artillery, multi-barrel rocket launchers, shield-field generator platforms, and more could all be derived from it.

Medium tanks were the main equipment of tank divisions. The 02—Sherman Tank had a combat weight of around 35 tons and fully met battlefield needs in breakthrough assaults, firepower deployment, and countering enemy armored units.

In practice, it also served as a universal platform base, suitable for large-scale modular production.

Heavy tanks, however, were positioned differently.

Given the current situation faced by the Alliance, medium tanks alone were already more than sufficient on the battlefield. Whether mechanical soldiers or any other bizarre enemies, none could gain an advantage against massed Sherman formations.

Thus, the design standards for heavy tanks had to achieve a leap across tiers—otherwise, there would be no meaning in producing them.

Or rather, it could not merely be a tank. It had to be designed as a self-sustaining arsenal—a single unit capable of functioning like an army.

The 55-ton weight was the upper design limit Mitia had set. Beyond that, she could not even imagine how such a machine would move across rough terrain.

Seen from that perspective, this tank’s design was quite interesting.

An 88mm “anti-everything” cannon, over a hundred rounds of ammunition, two DShK heavy machine gun with 4,500 rounds, and two multi-barrel rocket launcher pods mounted on top.

With such a configuration, the instantaneous firepower was so overwhelming that even a Saint would suffer greatly if hit head-on.

But the key point was still the shield generator.

The massive hull provided ample space for additional equipment. With over 100mm of steel armor, combined with a magic shield, rune explosive reactive armor, and an internal air circulation system—she would believe it if someone said this thing could be used in an apocalyptic war.

“This is the prototype? Can it move?”

“Yes, Your Majesty the Empress! This is the third prototype. It has successfully completed all tests. With minor adjustments, it can enter the trial production phase.”

As he spoke, the dwarven expert called out through a communicator. A six-member tank crew quickly approached. At Mitia’s signal, they climbed onto the vehicle and entered the tank.

Moments later, the slumbering beast roared to life.

The engine thundered, and the massive vehicle began moving across the test field at a speed completely mismatched with its size—maneuvering, firing, and showcasing its capabilities.

Mitia even personally entered the interior to observe. The internal space was indeed spacious. Even with all mechanical assistance systems installed and fully loaded with ammunition, it still felt roomy. The human-machine interaction was excellent.

She nodded in approval.

This was essentially the final confirmation of the tank’s value. The next step would be determining the initial production numbers with the military—something she did not need to worry about.

Given the technical standards and logistical burden of this heavy tank, the Alliance military would likely be extremely cautious in procurement.

After all, if deployed at scale, nearly half of a division might need to be logistics support units… Only reinforced tank divisions would have the capability and qualifications to operate such equipment.

Most likely, only a few elite-numbered tank divisions and the Central Guard Division could fully equip them. Other tank divisions would at best acquire a handful—five or eight units—as their ultimate reserve weapons.

The dwarven experts at the Memlotorh Tank Manufacturing Plant were overjoyed.

The Sherman medium tank had not been designed by their factory—it was the work of the Stark State First Tank Manufacturing Plant. They only had production rights.

Their factory director had long been mocked by Stark’s director, to the point of losing his appetite in frustration.

Previously, mining trucks had abandoned axle-driven systems entirely, adopting magic conversion engines to achieve giant mining truck scale, greatly improving the Alliance’s mining transport efficiency.

Now, with this breakthrough in magitech engine technology, their entire factory had poured everything into this ambitious project—and finally, they could hold their heads high.

Meanwhile, in the waters near Mosseradel Port, a fierce naval battle had just come to an end.

A naval officer named Lapland stood there, her pristine uniform now stained with soot and grime. She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and spoke calmly:

“Have the damage control teams report the damage immediately. Issue orders to increase rescue efforts and retrieve all comrades who have fallen into the water as soon as possible.”

“And immediately compile the fleet loss report and transmit the intelligence back home!”

Not far away, a battleship’s massive steel hull tilted. Under the pull of gravity, its turrets shifted toward one side as the ship slowly sank beneath the sea. The water’s surface was littered with debris and sailors, silently testifying to the intensity of the battle.

Farther out on the horizon, two enormous dragon corpses—each hundreds of meters long—floated on the sea, their blood dyeing vast stretches of the ocean crimson.