There are two main routes to travel from the Blackwood estate to the northern borderlands infested with monsters:

1. The established, winding travel route that passes through several villages and estates.
2. The shortcut route that cuts directly across in a near-straight line, significantly reducing travel time but bypassing most settlements.

Naturally, Luke, eager to return to Seraphine as quickly as possible, chose the shortcut. The downside of this path was the lack of villages or estates along the way, making it far less accommodating.

“It’s late, so let’s set up camp here for the night.”

After driving the …