After receiving the Order of the Rising sun in its highest class, Bruno found that the Japanese Generals and admirals had quickly begun to treat him differently. Perhaps they were unaware of the prestigious honor he was to be awarded, or they simply looked down on him as a foreigner until the moment that Emperor himself pinned that medal to his chest.
But regardless of the actual reason for this sudden change in behavior, Bruno now found himself being treated as a war hero of the highest caliber. Generals and admirals alike took the opportunity to approach him, and give a brief but respectful toast in honor of his achievements.
While several of them shamelessly tried to curry favor with the man by introducing their daughters and granddaughters, entirely unaware that Bruno was already very happily married. Bruno did not entertain these offers, and merely respectfully acknowledged the women and girls while refusing to be in conversations alone with them.
Even one of the Emperor’s sons was shameless enough to introduce his daughter, a princess of the Empire of Japan, who was in fact the young girl who timidly hid behind her mother when Bruno had earlier in the day gazed upon her general direction.
Like she had done just a few hours prior, the young girl, who was no older than ten, hid behind her mother in a display of shyness that instantly reminded Bruno of his wife when she was younger. Perhaps because this girl, like Heidi resembled a rabbit in nature. Bruno took a more friendly approach as he introduced himself to her with a warm smile.
After all, she was a princess unlike the other noble ladies who had been introduced to him so far. Because of this, Bruno was forced to interact with her in order to show respect to her Royal Father and grandfather. Both of which were keeping a close eye on how he interacted at this gala.
“You don’t need to be so scared little princess. Though my people refer to me as the Wolf of Prussia, I am far as predatory as my namesake.”
The young princess had black hair, which was styled into twin tails with blunt bangs. Her eyes were as dark as ink, and her skin as pale as jade. Her dress was far more traditional as far as Japanese attire was concerned.
The Empire of Japan had gone to great lengths after the Meiji restoration to mimic the Western Empires. Whether it was in terms of modernization of their military or their choice of clothing. Yet this girl seemed to be wearing a more traditional kimono, as she hid behind her mother. Only opening up when Bruno put on a smile for her sake.
She was quick to ask why Bruno was named after two very dangerous animals. After all, she herself had heard her father refer to the man as Mamushi, which was a dangerous and venomous snake on the Japanese mainland.
Because of this, she had instinctively grown to fear the Foreign General, as the concept of war and death were deeply disturbing to her more innocent mind.
“I don’t understand. My father refers to you by the name of Mamushi, which is a dangerous serpent. But your people call you a wolf? Why are you named after such frightening animals if you yourself are not so dangerous?”
The girl had gained the courage to speak to Bruno, but her eyes showed great fear towards him. He was, after all taller, and more robust than any of the other men in the room. And the scar beneath his eye was menacing to a young and sheltered princess like herself.
Bruno however smiled and drank from his cup of sake, while addressing the Princess’s question. Her father and mother were eying him with curiosity, especially with how he would respond to their daughter.
“Now that is an interesting philosophical question which you have just posed to me. One which I am not sure you will fully comprehend my answer to at your age. In truth, from the moment I put on this uniform, I will transform into whatever I need to be for the sake of my nation and people.
I will even become as monstrous as the fabled Oni if that is required of me. But that does not mean that within my interpersonal relationships, I am such a fearsome figure. In fact, I am a loving husband and father once I have taken off this uniform.
My wife would hardly call me monstrous when I have come home after a long day’s work. In fact, it is her fury that I must fear once I have entered our own personal world. One that is free from the worries of the larger world beyond our doorstep.
Human beings aren’t so simple that they can simply be defined by the duties which they must uphold for the sake of their family, folk, and fatherland. Nor can they be judged wholly based upon the actions they must take in defense of those three things. You will come to understand this when you are older….”
The Princess’s father and mother were surprised by the depth of Bruno’s answer. Nevertheless, the two of them nodded their heads in approval after hearing him speak.
As for the young princess, she herself seemed to understood more than her parents expected her to, and in doing so quickly posed another question that threw a wrench in Bruno’s plans to free himself from such a dreadful image which the girl had concocted of him within her own mind.
“But you are currently in uniform… So, which are you, here and now? The venomous serpent, the ravenous wolf, or the wholesome gentleman?”
Bruno found himself in a predicament. His choice of words did indeed depict himself as a different person depending on whether or not he was performing his duties as a military officer. And it was ultimately based upon this fact that Bruno wisely chose the correct answer. “I am whatever the Kaiser needs me to be. In this circumstance, though I wear the skin of a wolf, I must tame myself for the sake of tonight’s peaceful festivities. Tomorrow, however, I will be shipped back to Manchuria where the beast within will take over.
But a princess such as yourself need not concern yourself over dreadful matters like that of war and battle. After all, so long as I am there to advise your generals, you need not fear such horrors ever reaching the shores of Japan. Rather, it is the Russians who will need to learn to tread carefully when I am near.”
Contrary to what the Prince of Japan and his wife were expecting, their young and timid daughter broke out into a fit of laughter. She understood the meaning of Bruno’s more metaphorical speech and was quick to comment on his particular way of speaking.
“You’re funny. You call yourself a wolf, but you appear no different from an ordinary man. I like you onii-san! I’m Sakura by the way, it is nice to meet you!”
Bruno felt slightly embarrassed when he heard the Princess address him so informally. Her parents were quick to reprimand her for doing so, all the while Bruno poured himself another drink to cope with the current situation.
He had, after all been an enormous weeb in his past life. Not that he let anyone at work know about his hobbies. To hear a cute Japanese princess call him by the fabled term “Onii-san” what was there not to enjoy about that?
Not that he had any particular interest in the girl outside of an intrinsic desire to protect her. Was this the power of what one called moe? After several moments of her parents scolding her, the girl was forced to bow before Bruno and formally apologize for her lack of decorum. Bruno, of course waved it off, saying he was not the slightest bit offended. After which, the girl’s parents dragged her away. But not before she could properly wave goodbye to Bruno. Who, after a brief discussion with the man, she had apparently become quite friendly with. As for the Japanese Emperor, now that Bruno was alone, he saw this as a perfect opportunity to approach the man. There were some matters which he wanted to discuss with Bruno in private. And because of this, he sent one of his personal aides to approach the foreign general
in this regard.
“Generalmajor Mamushi, the Emperor would like to speak with you in private. If you would
follow me, please…”
Bruno put his glass of sake down, which he had just finished, and followed after the personal attendee of Emperor Meiji. Judging by the fact that the Emperor wanted to speak with him in private. Bruno suspected that this would be an important matter regarding the war effort, and perhaps even the overall geo-political situation of the world.
Because of this, he was quick to steel his resolve for the discussion that was to come. As Bruno expected, it would have a major impact on the future of this timeline.