Franz had already arrived in Innsbruck, the capital of Tyrol. He had originally planned to go to Frankfurt and debate with the assembled leaders, but now it seemed there was no need.
After all, the Belgians had merely turned their flag upside down to make it the German Empire's Tricolour Flag. The Luxembourgers and another group of reinforcements were also flying the German Empire's flag.
The Frankfurt National Assembly had effectively been put in an impossible position. At the very least, it could no longer set Austria aside and pursue a Little German solution as it had in history.
That was because no country or individual now believed Prussia could defeat France. Even during the Franco-Prussian War, no country besides Prussia itself thought the Prussians could win.
Even if the Frankfurt Parliament placed the crown of the German Empire on the head of William IV, King of Prussia, the outcome would most likely be the same as in history: he would reject it as though it were worthless.
If William IV really dared to accept that crown, Franz would have to start thinking seriously about unifying Germany.
After all, the greatest rival would have destroyed itself, and the internal obstacles to unification would be gone. At the same time, enormous external pressure would also help bring Germany together.
And by then, if Austria did not take up the banner, the small German states would be carved up.
For Franz, the right choice now was to hold back and wait for the best offer.
Since the war had broken out so suddenly, Franz could only send a group of mercenaries and journalists to help.
He could not send troops directly at this point, because he had no legitimate pretext.
Still, there had been an unexpected gain: a second group of reinforcements.