Chapter 498
The Sahar Wastes were, without question, the most chaotic region in the world.
Wars raged year-round, and aside from the major powers carving up their spheres of influence, countless mercenaries and armed factions were entrenched throughout the land.
What worried Jimmy the most was the involvement of the Agylae, whose influence was pulling the strings behind the scenes. If Leander’s presence in the Sahar Wastes were to be exposed, wouldn’t that give them a perfectly legitimate reason to take action?
In that region, even Astria would find itself powerless to intervene. And if the Agylae learned that Leander had appeared in the Sahar Wastes, they could easily find a pretext to launch an indiscriminate strike on a particular area and eliminate Leander in the process.
After all, in the turmoil of the Sahar Wastes, such things were commonplace. If Leander was killed, even if Astria pursued accountability, the Agylae could simply claim it had been collateral damage amid active conflict—thus instantly dissolving any international pressure.
Hearing this, the rest of the Shadow Division members’ expressions changed drastically.
“Jeff is out of his mind p>
“He knows perfectly well how sensitive this period is, yet he still dares to go to such
a chaotic region like the Sahar Wastes? Does he really think the major powers can’t touch him p>
“Exactly! Does he really think that just because he climbed to the top of the
International Combat Units and killed the Blood Demon and others, he’s invincible now? With his level of cultivation, facing modern weapons is nothing but suicide. He has no idea how insignificant he is p>
Listening to the criticism directed at Leander, neither Jimmy nor Christopher spoke in his defense. This time, even they felt that Leander was being far too reckless.
Charging into the Sahar Wastes—if the Agylae made a covert move, it would be impossible to guard against. A single misstep could spark a small-scale war.
But Leander was likely already in Dechor, enjoying foreign scenery. It seemed too late for anything now.
At this moment, all they could do was pray that Leander wouldn’t cause too large a commotion over there, lest he attract the attention of the Agylae or other nations.
At the international airport of Dechor, Leander stepped off the plane in a simple shirt and sweatpants. Celia followed obediently behind him, attentive at every step.
Behind them, Nathan and the others walked in pairs, while Aurora—despite being a stunning beauty—was left trailing alone like an abandoned singleton.
Leander walked ahead, glancing at the Dechorians in their varied clothing styles with mild amusement. It was his first time visiting this Sahar Wastes country.
“Just like the travel guides said-Dechorians really are incredibly hospitable!” Nathan spoke with excitement.
A moment ago, he had used broken translation software to communicate with an airport worker. The staff member was very professional, patiently introducing famous Dechor attractions and important notes, and warmly welcoming them.
“Yeah, looks like coming here was the right choice p>
Luke and Evander exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.
Just then, Livia and her two friends suddenly gasped.
“Isn’t that Maeve over there p>
Everyone followed their gaze. At one of the exits, a group of people held up signs
and cheered excitedly as if they were welcoming a major celebrity.
On their signs, the name “Maeve” was written in awkward-looking Chinese characters.
At the front of the crowd, surrounded by admirers, a girl in cool summer attire and sunglasses strode forward with elegance and grace.
She gently waved and smiled, prompting the welcoming crowd to erupt in even greater excitement as they called her name.
Leander turned slightly. Even from a few hundred meters away, he recognized Maeve instantly.
After several months apart, the desolation and sorrow she once carried had completely vanished. Instead, she now looked vibrant and youthful glowing with the radiance of someone truly enjoying life.
“It really is Maeve! Wow—she just attended the Cannes Film Festival, right? She won the Best Song Award with Aqua Waltz,’ the theme song of My Empress! She’s now officially an international A-list diva p>
“What is she doing here p>
Livia and her two friends were huge fans of Maeve. Seeing their idol just a few hundred meters away, they didn’t care about anything else—they took off running toward her.
Luke and Evander also enjoyed celebrity-chasing and eagerly followed. Only Leander, Nathan, and the others remained where they were.
Nathan looked at Leander. “Leander, I’ve downloaded almost all of Maeve’s songs. Since we’ve run into her in Dechor, shouldn’t we go check things out p>
Leander smiled and waved. “You guys go. I’ll wait for you at the airport entrance p>
He had no intention of going. To him, Maeve was merely a passerby in his life-they weren’t even truly friends.
Back in Ravenridge, the two had agreed on a three-year pact, neither would seek out the other, and everything would be left to fate.
Barely a few months had passed—he didn’t want his appearance to stir up her emotions.
However, he did spare a second
glance at the two female
bodyguards beside her. Their cultivation wasn’t high-around the
Martian Master level but their method of training surprised Leander.
They were practicing none other than the Devourer’s Flow-the technique Leander
had passed down to the Southern Wyvern Blade.
Leander didn’t look for long. After a brief glance, he continued walking toward the terminal hall with Celia.
Maeve responded warmly to her fans, even signing autographs for a few lucky ones, prompting the crowd to erupt again.
By chance, she turned her head—and caught sight of a familiar back, the silhouette
of a man walking away with a girl beside him.
Her expression froze. “That back… why does it look so much like him p>
Her heart trembled, but before she could confirm, Leander and Celia had
disappeared beyond the exit.
A moment later, Maeve smiled faintly as she turned back.
“I must be missing him too much p>
They had only been apart for a few months, yet it felt like years to her.
Ever since she learned that he was still alive, all her sorrow and grief had melted away, replaced only by her longing for their reunion.
Despite missing him intensely, she never once tried to contact him. She knew that after three years had passed, he would be forced to keep their promise.
“Hmph! Trying to use three years to make my feelings fade? You seriously underestimate me, you big dummy p>
Seeing a back that looked like Leander’s made her think of his cool, aloof demeanor
again, and she couldn’t help but smile.
She knew why he had proposed the three-year pact.
After bidding farewell to her fans, she clenched her fist lightly.
“Dummy… just wait. When I stand before you again after three years, you’ll never
be able to leave me behind p>