When Roland walked out of the city hall building, Val City State was holding a flag-lowering ceremony.

Perhaps because the flag had not been lowered in a long time, the pulleys made creaking sounds that were particularly piercing in the quiet environment.

The Val City flag, which had flown for over a hundred years, slowly descended, symbolizing the end of an era.

This was not just the curtain fall of Val City, but also the disintegration of the continental covenant system.

Val City was the first, but certainly not the last.

In the face of the Rurik Giant Bear's aggression, all neighboring countries trembled.

But besides the giant bear, the other major powers were not to be trifed with either.

In the foreseeable future, many small countries would not have easy days ahead.

For the people of Val City, the fall of their nation was painful, but at least it was not a bloody collapse, rather a peaceful transfer of power, which could be seen as a calm conclusion.

In each district of the city, officials and soldiers of Val City were handing over power to the occupying nations and forces.

A young officer suddenly started singing "Val Lake Shore," a song most representative of Val City.

Val City State did not have a national anthem; this song was tacitly regarded as one.

They were born from the first Continental Conference, representing the compromise reached after all countries fought to exhaustion.

Of course, the official reasons had to be much more grandiose.

For peace and friendship, Val City State was established.

For peace and friendship, "Val Lake Shore" was created.

Though the continental covenant was a product of power balance, countries largely adhered to it, maintaining a general peace for a century.

Conflicts still existed, but no extinction-level wars broke out between the major powers.

The countries promised by the continental covenant all lasted until the second Continental Conference.

However, the times have changed.

Facing the approaching day of return, people no longer cared about appearances.

A covenant is only kept when the benefits of keeping it outweigh those of breaking it.

If everyone believes that breaking it is the best choice, then the outcome is irreversable.

The birth of Val City State came from the continental covenant.

With the end of the continental covenant, their extinction was only natural.

Perhaps because the fall was so reasonable, the officials, soldiers, and onlookers did not feel too much sadness.

The tears that were meant to be shed had long been shed.

They could hardly cry, and the tears at the corners of their eyes were only due to the rudeness of the wind and sand.

More and more people joined in singing the song, and the voices gathered into a wave that echoed over the square.

Sif stopped, silently watching them, and said quietly:

"Roland, why does it feel like we're the villain Demon King from a novel?"

"Reality isn't a novel. National interests can't be labeled simply as good or bad."

Roland said calmly.

Noticing a hint of disappointment in Sif's eyes, he softly comforted: "Sif, I believe the future world will be more civilized, progressive, and harmonious."

"Is it time for the part where we believe in the wisdom of future generations?" Sif smirked self-deprecatingly.

She had long been accustomed to Roland's way of speaking, where new phrases came easily.

Roland said calmly, "Any progress in civilization requires a heavy price. Each of us could become that price itself."

"I know."

Sif did not linger in sorrow, silently following Roland away.

As they left the square, she heard gasps and screams and glanced back.

A young officer in uniform lunged towards the flag about to be rolled up, a blade piercing his abdomen, and blood gushed out, staining the white flag red.

Her heart skipped a beat.

If she failed, would it be the same?

Roland looked back without saying anything.

If it had been when he first awakened his memories, he might have trembled, might have been moved, but now he was as indifferent as a dispassionate onlooker.

"Let's go."

He resolutely marched away towards their hotel.

There is no eternal, indestructible nation in this world. Every nation will move from prosperity to decline.

The Sussex Empire will be no different.

At some point in the future, it may become a constitutional monarchy, or perhaps transition to a republic in one step, who knows.

This is not something he needs to worry about.

His gaze turned to the distant east. Thousands of kilometers away, in the pristine Winter Hall, awaited his enemies. They would ultimately duel.

...

Soon after Val City State ceased operations, major news followed.

The biggest news was that the Magic Crystal Ore Vein had been sealed indefinitely.

After intense bickering and disputes, countries still couldn't reach a compromise.

The only consensus was the lack of any consensus.

Ultimately, under the Weimar Federation's suggestion, countries decided to shelve disagreements and jointly refrain from development.

The Magic Crystal Ore Vein was sealed, equipped with various detection instruments to prevent anyone from stealing.

Representatives from the Magic Association were also called in, forced to sign.

They publicly promised that unless they obtained approval from Val City State rulers, they would not take even a single Magic Crystal Stone from White Mountain.

While this international conference drew everyone's attention, there was another matter of moderate importance.

Tony, the original Executive Officer of Val City State, publicly joined the Sussex Empire.

He did not go to the Imperial Capital but headed to Hansa City to become an official under Governor Roland.

This decision left many puzzled.

Roland might not be the main culprit behind the fall of Val City State, but he was certainly an accomplice and beneficiary.

People knew Mr. Tony would never surrender to the Vladimir Empire, but they could not comprehend him surrendering to their second greatest enemy.

Yet they knew Tony had few places to choose from.

The world may be vast, but there are few who can stand against the Vladimir Empire.

...

In the spring of 1792, it came earlier than usual.

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