Chapter 38: The Order of the Rising Sun
The journey to Japan was a brief one. After all, Manchuria was but a stone's throw away from the land of the Rising Sun, and because of this Bruno was soon greeted by the envoys of Emperor Meiji himself when he landed in Tokyo.
The man who had restored Imperial power, and ended the reign of the Shogun. He was an imposing figure in Japanese History and one whose exploits Bruno was all too aware of. The attendants made sure Bruno was precisely aware of the proper etiquette that should be maintained in the Japanese court.
In addition to this, they made sure he was properly groomed. He had after all spent the better course of a month in an active Warzone, and another two months prior to that at sea. But when Bruno stepped out of the bath, and clothed by the servants who attended to him. He looked in the mirror and saw that he was much better looking than normal.
His stubble had been cleanly shaved, and his skin was treated with various local remedies. It was far more pale, and glistening than it normally would have otherwise been. Yet it was not a sickly paleness, rather there was a healthy glow to it.
The mensur scar which was inflicted upon him years prior by now had a smooth texture, and just below the eye, horizontally cut into his cheekbones, giving him a slightly intimidating presence. In addition to this, his golden blonde hair was properly styled in accordance with the fashions of the time. While his azure blue eyes reflected back upon his own appearance. All in all, Bruno had to admit he looked rather dashing, almost like a proper nobleman, rather than the appearance of a soldier like he normally kept. Currently, Bruno was dressed in his military uniform, which had been properly cleaned and pressed into perfection.
His medal, which he earned by participating in the occupation of Northern China during the latter stages of the Boxer Rebellion was pinned perfectly to his left breast, above where his heart lied beneath.
Frankly, Bruno wished that he had more medals, but the Iron Cross would not be issued to soldiers again until 1914 at the onset of the Great War, and as for far more prestigious orders of merit and chivalry he had yet to properly perform on the battlefield in a way which met the requirements for such honors.
Because of this, he was probably the general with the least amount of medals in the world. Which was only natural, considering his young age. Now that he was properly bathed and groomed, Bruno stepped foot outside the quarters he had been given.
Where he was led by several officers of the Imperial Japanese Army to the great hall of the Royal Palace where he would be forced to kneel before the Japanese Emperor, and receive the man's gracious award.
Upon entering the Great Hall, Bruno believed he was gazing upon a scene straight out of fantasy. All the highest ranking military officers of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy were gathered, standing on the sides along with their wives and children as they chattered quietly among themselves regarding the fabled Mamushi.