As the rules are currently the timer ends "once VICTORY appears after the final country has been annihilated". Though with two of the countries, Caerleon and New Almekia, since they're allied with each other, the computer can take the last castle meaning that this never happens. For runs where this happens what is the proper time to end the timer? Right when the castle falls? When the fade in starts for the final talking part? I've been ending my timer when this happens right when the game fades in after the last castle is taken before the last talking part.

The fade in after the last castle is taken before the last talking part is intuitive, that's fine, thanks for bringing this up, i'll be sure to update the rules to reflect this.