บท 319: Cannon Fodder

I don't know how long I was out, but what I did know was that when I came to, I was tied to a stake in front of the first gate, just outside of the fifth circle.

"You're awake," said a woman as she stood in front of me, staring at me. 

"And yet, I have no idea what is going on," I shrugged. Or at least I tried to. My wrists were bound behind my back, and the cold pole I was against dug into my spine. Looking down, I half expected to see a pile of wood by my feet, but instead, I was barefooted on the ground. 

Oh, the poor, poor humans. 

"There was no point in sacrificing your boots when one of us could use them," replied the woman, her eyes going to where I was looking. If she thought I was upset that they took them off, she was really misreading the situation. 

"That makes sense," I replied, absentmindedly nodding my head. "But why am I here? And why do you look so familiar?"