"Someone, get men to search Vienna and its surroundings at once. Even if they have to dig three feet into the ground, they must find Karl I!" Marshal von Hausen ordered. Though he knew that the chances of finding Karl I were probably slim.
Marshal von Hausen had originally hoped for a flawless victory. But now that victory had been discounted, and naturally, he was deeply dissatisfied.
Capture Vienna, then take the rulers and ministers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire prisoner—without question, that would have been a perfect victory. Yet regrettably, Karl I, Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, had vanished.
Marshal von Hausen knew that the Empire intended to swallow Austria whole. Karl I's existence would undoubtedly add some variables to Germany's plans. After all, Karl I might have been incompetent, but he was still the crowned Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a fact no one could alter. Even if Germany forcibly annexed Austria, there would certainly be Austrians who remained loyal to Karl I. All of that would become unstable factors Germany would have to confront in the future.
"Yes, Your Excellency." A general immediately went to make the arrangements.
Archduke Friedrich, standing nearby, heard Marshal von Hausen's order, but he did not care. Even they had not known when Karl I had left, which meant Karl I must have fled Vienna long ago. He might even have been close to Trieste already. It was utterly impossible for the German military to catch up with Karl I.
But just as Duke Kaspar had said, this was now the Germans' business and had nothing to do with them.
With the German military's capture of Vienna, the Austrian army's resistance also came to an end. Although a tiny number of soldiers still loyal to the Austro-Hungarian Empire or Austria refused to surrender,