Flawless diplomatic rhetoric.

Refusing to answer is sometimes a kind of answer.

Obviously, unless she gains sufficient benefits, Sofia will not make concessions.

Where do the benefits come from?

The representatives from various countries fell into deep thought.

Either cut meat from oneself or use meat from others.

Those present are politicians, not philanthropists, and naturally unwilling to cut their own meat.

However, there's a ready victim, the Val City State.

Everyone suddenly realized.

Sofia still wants to delve into the affairs of Val City State, but can't directly say it because she's not a direct party, thus choosing to terminate the treaty early.

Understanding this, William calmly provided an answer.

"Ending the treaty a few days early or late makes no difference to the Sussex Empire. Our country's interests on the continent are defended by the Empire's soldiers with guns and cannons, not by treaties."

"I agree to terminate the treaty early."

William's words were firm, representing the attitude of the Sussex Empire.

If you want war, then there shall be war!

Sofia nodded in satisfaction and turned her gaze to the representative of the Jin Yuan Kingdom.

"Mr. Edward, what is your opinion?"

"Her Majesty the Empress and the Prime Minister agree, my disagreement would seem out of place. I, representing the Jin Yuan Republic, agree to terminate the treaty early."

The person referred to as Edward is the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Jin Yuan Republic; he can independently decide national affairs.

Since Vladimir and Sussex recognize the treaty's invalidity, it is meaningless for others to insist.

At such times, one must not show weakness.

Being the world's third strongest power, the Jin Yuan Republic is experiencing internal upheaval and cannot afford to lose momentum.

Any hesitation at this moment could reveal their vulnerability to potential enemies.

Seeing Edward's calm expression, those representatives who were certain Jin Yuan couldn't manage were now somewhat hesitant.

The coup in Jin Yuan was carried out quickly; they have probably completed internal integration.

Even if there are conflicts, they won't greatly affect the country's strength.

However, Roland knows Edward is merely pretending.

The reason is simple; his attitude is too resolute.

How could one be so decisive about something so important?

Sofia did not hesitate because she is the long-planned mastermind.

William didn't hesitate because the Sussex Empire's comprehensive national power is strong, and it has a powerful navy, making it not difficult to protect the Three Overseas Provinces.

Back then, even the continental countries united against Sussex could not take away these overseas provinces; he is certainly unafraid.

Taking a step back, even in future wars if defeated, just abandoning the Three Overseas Provinces would allow them to rely on the wealthy mainland and the abundant resources of the colonies to be self-sufficient, even able to block ocean access and starve continental enemies.

Sussex stands in an invincible position; they are, of course, not apprehensive.

What does Jin Yuan have?

They can only hold on.

After William agreed, Sif squinted her eyes, pondering.

Is this guy doing it on purpose?

The Three Overseas Provinces cannot withstand continental powers alone.

Without support from the mainland and colonies, the Three Overseas Provinces are viewed as prey by continental countries.

Could William be hoping for a war to rid himself of the burdensome Three Overseas Provinces?

If the Three Overseas Provinces fall, Sif and Roland, who are in charge here, will be held accountable.

Sif, as the national leader, does not have to take responsibility, but Roland cannot escape guilt.

His fate will either be an execution for absolution, or imprisonment after relinquishing all power.

By then, Sif would have to humbly yield to the Cabinet.

She frowned slightly and gripped Roland's hand even tighter.

Roland drew an inverted question mark in her palm with his pinky finger.

Sif bit her lip, her slender fingers traced around in Roland's palm.

"William is targeting you, mean."

To prevent other representatives from noticing her small gestures with Roland, she used the simplest words to express herself.

Roland certainly understood what Sif was saying.

He smiled slightly, swallowing the words he had prepared, and drew a smiley face in Sif's palm.

His confidence was passed on to Sif.

Sif's lightly creased brows gradually relaxed, curiously observing representatives from other countries.

The three major powers have expressed their stance, making opposition from other countries meaningless.

Any concession is a symbol of weakness. Since that's the case, let's face it head-on.

"The Tirol Kingdom agrees to end the treaty."

"The Prudon Kingdom agrees."

"The Weimar Federation opposes!"

"The Wende Empire opposes!"

"The Talia Kingdom agrees."

"The Nubian Kingdom abstains."

...

With all expressing their positions, the century-old continental treaty hereby ends.

Whether the treaty will continue is significant, temporarily not discussed.

The theme of this meeting remains the future of Val City State.

Although the focus of participants has shifted elsewhere.

Countries far from Val City State wish to leave quickly and discuss the impacts of the treaty's ending behind closed doors.

The meeting continues.

The representative from Val City State was called in.

William smiled kindly, inviting him to the podium, and asked softly:

"Executive Officer Tony, as the representative of the city concerned with the Holy Spring Revival, I'd like to hear your vision for the future."

William was polite but did not refer to the other as a "country concerned," using "city concerned" instead.

This was no slip of the tongue.

As a seasoned expert in diplomacy, precise wording is essential.

To prevent ambiguities in communication, everyone present even used the language of the Magic Empire.

This dead language is difficult to master; besides diplomats and high-ranking officials, ordinary people wouldn't learn it.

But its complexity and precision make it suitable for diplomatic occasions.

Executive Officer Tony's face turned somewhat sullen.

As a representative of a small country surviving within the gaps between major powers, he is skilled at reading expressions and sensing implied meanings.

He understood.

The Sussex Empire does not support Val City State's existence as an independent nation.

Though Sussex maintains its status as the world's number one power with some effort, destroying Val City State is straightforward.

Tony took a deep breath and his gaze swept across the room.

He did not rush to express his position, but began singing a once popular song that few people remember now.

"By Val Lake."

The last continental meeting was held by Val Lake.

Participating countries shared friendly exchanges and unanimously agreed to preserve Val City State.

This song was composed by a famous minstrel of the time to commemorate peace.

Under the constraints of the continental treaty, small conflicts between countries persisted, yet large-scale wars resulting in over ten thousand casualties did not occur.

The continental treaty, in some ways, maintained peace.

Val City State was also known as the International Friendship City.

Now everything has changed.

The Sussex Empire, which once fully supported the independence and autonomy of Val City State, has become the first to stab with a knife.

Executive Officer Tony sang with great emotion.

His singing technique is barely better than Roland's.

Add to that he stayed in tune.

His singing was only about emotion.

Hot tears rolled down his cheeks, his voice choked, and his eyelids slightly flushed.

The melodious singing echoed in the conference hall and permeated through the windows into the square.

The staff of the delegations from various countries, faintly hearing the song, all smiled.

This is a song of peace.

Listen, the singer is almost moved to tears.

No need to think; peace is about to arrive.

Val City State is really lucky; although this meeting is not by Val Lake, the outcome will not change much.

This is an era of civilization, with peace as the main theme.

People quietly thought.

However, those inside the meeting were not so optimistic.

Mr. Tony's emotionally charged singing touched the most tender places in people's hearts.

Some representatives hung their heads slightly, some sighed, and others avoided Sofia's gaze, singing along.

Sif tapped Roland's palm, gently writing "Moved."

Roland asked with his fingertips, "Are you agreeing to preserve Val City State?"

"Not necessarily."

Sif's reply was crisp.

"Being moved does not equal support. From the perspective of national interest, dismembering and dividing Val City State is most beneficial for us."

Roland said nothing, but his mood was somewhat complicated.

If it were the Sif from a few months ago, she would be weeping with emotion, asking Roland why Val City State couldn't be preserved.

But now she can calmly stand from the perspective of national interest and pronounce a death sentence for Val City State.

A slight chill spread across his palm.

It felt as though ice was clasped in his hand.

Any growth comes at a cost.

The innocent girlish heart he personally killed is the cost.

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