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“The university, eh?” You raise an eyebrow. “And they wouldn’t mind us showing up at such a late hour?”
Zorn shakes his head. “Not at all, General. Follow me.”
The main building is a former palace, and despite its current role as a learning and research institution, it still has all the indicators of its previous use. You enter the reception hall, with Zorn talking briefly with the doorman before leading you up a flight of stairs. “Incredible,” you mutter as you admire the grand, yet still stoic, halls.
“Sending our nations’ sons to this university would be a matter of great national pride,” Keisuke muses. “Herr Zorn, what sorts of subjects do they instruct on here?”
The Prussian doesn’t miss a beat. “Nearly everything you can imagine. Natural science, law, medicine, philosophy.” He turns to the diplomat. “The greatest German thinkers call these halls home. We are actually going to pay one of them a visit now.”
He leads you all to a heavy oak door, knocking on it three times. A voice calls from inside in German, and Zorn opens the door. Beckoning you all into the room, you see a rather spacious office. As you enter, you note a large bookcase on one side, filled to the brim with leather-bound tomes. Further along is a section of the wall upon which many diplomas and certificates hang framed. In the center of the office is a sitting area with two sofas and some chairs, all angled toward a large wooden desk with a walnut burl top. Leaning on the desk is a tall man in a dark gray suit. He is older, perhaps sixty, with long hair that is balding at the top. He has a large mustache and goatee, and wears a set of ponce-nez glasses with a golden chain running from one side down to the lapel of his suit.
The man turns to you all, raising an eyebrow and contemplating his words before speaking. “Good evening, I presume that you are the delegation of gentlemen that Herr Zorn has mentioned to me?”
You nod curtly, extending a hand for the man to shake. “We are the delegation from Japan, here to visit Europe and learn more of the nations and peoples here. I am General Daniel Stockton.” You then gesture to your fellows as the man shakes your hand. “And these are my colleagues from the Japanese military and government.”
“Ah, not much distinction to be made there.” The man smiles playfully. It surprises you that this man would know well enough about Japan to know that it has a mostly military government. “Though, the same could be said for my own nation.” He removes his glasses, producing a small handkerchief and wiping the lenses. “Professor Johan Brenner, director of anthropology, at your service.” He raises an eyebrow again. “And if I may be so forward, why have I been given the pleasure of hosting such an unprecedented delegation today?”
