right_apichen :
There are two major reasons why Karl believes—or assumes—that Blücher is merely suffering from the flu or the freezing temperatures of Kaub.
1. Morale, Denial, and Blind Hope
First, Karl might have already suspected it was an infection. However, since maintaining troop morale was crucial for survival, he chose to believe it was just the cold—even if that belief was a form of foolish denial. It was a faint ray of hope. Moreover, Karl didn't want to die alone, so he stayed by Blücher’s side all the way to the fortress until the very end. Deep down, he might have also believed that Blücher was tough enough to overcome it. In history, Blücher was notoriously reckless, stubborn, and eccentric beyond measure. Unfortunately, no matter how tough someone is, death always catches up eventually.
2026-07-27 16:08:51