"You lowly creatures, do you think the Lord Mayor has time to care about your life or death?"
"Get away! Your mere presence here is a crime punishable by death!"
"..."
The guards spoke angrily.
"Shut your mouths!" Leo turned around and spoke in a calmer tone.
Hearing this, the guards were initially startled but then instinctively closed their mouths.
In the ensuing silence, Leo looked at the dozen or so slaves kneeling before him.
"Has that ring been found?" Leo suddenly asked.
The slaves were taken aback, not expecting Leo to address them directly.
After a moment, one of the slaves, gathering his courage, spoke with a trembling voice,
"Your Honor, the Lord Mayor, the ring... it has been found. It turns out the master had misplaced it himself. Sheriff found it under a table."
Leo blinked, falling silent for a moment.