The dome of the Imperial Hall let out a low hum, and beneath the throne, all sounds froze.
The Head Chamberlain, Lin Ze, stepped slowly out of the shadow of the dais.
Standing still, he unfurled a thin sheet of secret mithril paper, each word from his tone cold as ice:
"Thirty-six days after the conclusion of the Northern Campaign, the preliminary intelligence report has been archived, and is now formally presented."
He raised his eyes, his gaze slowly sweeping over the nobles and ministers on either side of the long table, then mercilessly spoke:
"According to confirmation by the Inspectorate and the Imperial Secretariat's field joint investigation team—
First item: Population loss, preliminary estimates indicate the Northern Territory has lost four-fifths of its population."
Someone in the hall shifted slightly, but no one spoke.
"Second item: Territorial collapse, most of the Northern Territory has either fallen or become ungovernable.
