The Rise Of Australasia

"Your Majesty, I dare not deceive you. Currently, there's less than a 30% chance of victory for the Allies, and even that is only possible if Britain and France make a significant strategic error.

Additionally, if the United States could lend us strong support, find a way to persuade Russia to withdraw from the war, and talk either Italy or Australasia into defecting, we might stand a chance of winning this war." After careful consideration, Wade Stedden replied with a bitter smile.

The supply chain of Allied Nations was cut off by the Allies, which essentially equated to the Allies holding the lifeblood of the Allied Nations.

Unless the Allied Nations can end the war in a short span of time, any hope for ultimate victory in this war is bleak.

Carl I, unsurprised, nodded approvingly, then asked, "What about if it's just us? I mean, excluding the Germans, what are the chances of us achieving a partial victory and ending the war?"

"Your Majesty, without German assistance, our chances of victory will not exceed 10%. While we could manage if it was only Italians, we're facing an assault from the Australasia Army, those damned Balkan Allied Forces, and the Russian army who is restraining us.

It's impossible for us to defeat them with our own strength, and achieving peace on our own under the premise of victory is not feasible." Wade Stedden continued.

"So, is it almost inevitable that we lose this war?" Carl I exhaled with a sense of relief and inadvertently remarked: "Continuing the fight means defeat, with the risk of becoming a German vassal after the war. You know we're now completely dependent on the Germans, and we can do nothing without them. So, is there a need to continue this war? Even if we eventually win, the fruits will not be ours."

Upon hearing Carl I's rebellious remarks, Wade Stedden's face shifted, and he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, refrain from making such comments lightly. They could easily be exploited by the damned bureaucrats in the government and even lead to impeachment."

If it were Old Emperor Franz I, he wouldn't worry about governmental impeachment, even if he publicly insulted the government.

After all, the Old Emperor had sufficient prestige within the Empire, making his status unassailable.

But Carl I was different. Having reigned for just over two months, Carl I has no confidants in the government, and Wade Stedden, his loyal supporter, was just recently appointed Chief of Staff.

Without military loyalty and government approval, repeating anti-war and anti-government remarks could seriously damage Carl I's prestige and possibly result in him being side-lined by the government.

As Wade Stedden, promoted by Carl I, clearly, he did not want to see his promoter lose power.

"Rest assured, Chief of Staff, I'm just speaking hypothetically. If possible, who wouldn't want to see the Empire triumphant?" Carl I jovially slapped Wade Stedden's shoulder, putting a hold on the forbidden topic.

Though Carl I was a pacifist, he wasn't foolish enough to be extreme.

While the Allies' attack put the Austro-Hungarian Empire at risk, it also presented an opportunity.

If we could use the Germans to win this war and stabilize the southern region's borders, the Austro-Hungarian Empire would have the confidence to negotiate with the Allies to pursue peace with minimal losses.

For the current Austro-Hungarian Empire, exiting the war with minor losses is definitely more beneficial than continuing the war.

If this war isn't ended soon, Carl I even believes that the domestic populace will sooner or later overthrow both the government and himself, their recently-appointed emperor.