A suppressed low laughter spread across the Government Hall, lightening the tense atmosphere slightly.
Mike finished speaking and took his seat, and under Louis's lead, everyone applauded.
The atmosphere eased a bit, and the tension in everyone's hearts relaxed somewhat.
Next, a tall and thin, sun-tanned man rose and made a clumsy bow.
This was Andre, the newly appointed official of the Livestock Office this year.
Originally a foreman at a major ranch in the Southeast Province of the Empire, he arrived in the Northern Territory last year because of Louis's lucrative offer.
Andre wiped the sweat off his forehead, but his lips were slightly dry from nervousness: "Lord, this year…the number of livestock is much better than anticipated."
He opened the parchment in his hand, pointed at the neat ink marks on it, took a deep breath, and continued:
