"Your Majesty, the German military has appeared to the west and north of Vienna—no fewer than four army groups. In other words, the main forces of those four German army groups have already arrived at Vienna. Even after deducting the troops they need to guard their logistical supply lines and key positions, there are at least six hundred thousand German troops at Vienna!" Baron Marshal von Heitzenforf reported to Karl I.
Karl I nodded expressionlessly and said nothing more. Even at this critical juncture, they should have stood united against the German military. Yet Karl I was deeply dissatisfied with these Military and Political Ministers, who had previously wanted to abandon him in exchange for Germany's forgiveness. Now that the Germans refused to accept their sincerity, they had no choice but to fight to the bitter end. Had they known this would happen, they should never have entertained the vain hope of winning Germany's forgiveness.
Having seen these people for what they truly were, Karl I no longer placed any hope in them. He even believed that it was precisely because of their existence that the Austro-Hungarian Empire had fallen apart so quickly. Otherwise, if the entire Empire had been united, even if they could not defeat the Germans, they could at least have held out for quite some time. Perhaps then some unforeseen turn might have emerged. Once the United States and other countries joined the war against Germany, the Austro-Hungarian Empire might even have been able to turn the tables. But because of these people, all of that had vanished like a bubble.
Karl I had also made plans for the future. Naval Commander General Anton Haus had already left Vienna for the naval base at Trieste. If Vienna could no longer be defended, Karl I would leave