"My name is Chloe. To thank you for your help, I've brought you some gifts..."

"Hey, no need to bring anything since you're already here. Come on in. We're just having dinner, adding another pair of chopsticks is no trouble at all."

Loren naturally took the things from Chloe's hands and invited her inside. It was a kind of ingrained, fundamental logic activated deep within his DNA.

At the same time, Loren glanced at what Chloe had brought: a box of milk, a box of canned fruit, and two bottles of alcohol. He could only think that it would have been perfect if she had brought a box of Lulu instead.

"Wow, older sister, you're so beautiful. You could be someone who becomes my mother."

After Chloe took her seat, Anna looked at her with shining eyes. Although many people wanted to be her mother, they were at most considered older sisters—they weren't mature enough themselves.

"Thank you, little one. That's the highest praise for me."

Hearing Anna's compliment, Chloe didn't find it presumptuous at all. Instead, she smiled and stroked Anna's hair.

"The child doesn't know any better, just talking nonsense. Don't mind her."

Loren explained on Anna's behalf before sitting down next to Chloe.

He felt quite at ease with Chloe. After all, she was from the Witches' Church. No matter how bad a witch could be, she couldn't be that bad.

"Didn't Caroline come with you?"

Facing Loren's question, Chloe shook her head:

"They're all at our hideout. It's not convenient for us to leave there, especially during sensitive times like Christmas."

"You could just move into my house. There are enough rooms, and with me here, no one would dare to investigate you."

Loren extended the invitation directly. Since Chloe came to find him, it meant she most likely already trusted him. Otherwise, she wouldn't have taken such a big risk coming here.

The moment she said she was Caroline's older sister, she was telling Loren that she was also a witch. Therefore, her level of trust in Loren was quite high.

"Thank you, but it's better not to. We don't want to cause you trouble, and we're already used to life in the Whispering Woods.

"With the magic you provided, our life in the Whispering Woods will improve a lot."

As she spoke, Chloe skillfully picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks, dipped it in vinegar, and put it in her mouth.

Loren didn't find this particularly strange. Witches lived very long lives. Even if Chloe had eaten dumplings and used chopsticks before, it was no big deal.

"Alright."

Loren didn't insist. In a sense, the Whispering Woods were safer than Loren's House. Loren would eventually have a falling out with the Church one day, while they could hide there forever.

Their living conditions were just a bit harsher, but it wasn't much different from the bottom rung of society in this world. At the very least, they didn't have to worry about starving.

Chloe acted very familiar, casually chatting with Loren and the others.

"It's been a long time since I've had a meal like this. Could I take some to go? I'd like to take it back for the others to taste your cooking as well."

No one had said it, but Chloe just knew the dumplings were made by Loren.

"Depends on if Anna has enough to eat. We only made enough for Anna for one meal..."

"It's okay! I can just eat a few hundred less. If you like it, you can marry into our family! Then you could eat it every day!"

Before Loren could finish, Anna interrupted, appearing especially excited.

For some reason, Anna had such a good impression of Chloe. She hadn't seen Anna directly asking other witches to be her mother before; at most, she would just drop a few hints.

"Then thank you both..."

Chloe didn't stay for too long either. After eating a few bites, she prepared to leave, looking rather hurried, as if she had something important to do.

"I'm leaving, Master Mentor."

Chloe packed some food and headed for the door. Anna enthusiastically bid her farewell.

"Goodbye."

Chloe came suddenly and left just as suddenly, but Loren still politely said goodbye. Then he saw Chloe walk over to his side and, with lightning speed, plant a kiss on his cheek.

This time, Loren genuinely didn't dodge.

Instantly, Naclis and Laila behind Loren stood up, looking ready to charge at Chloe and fight her to the death.

The others took it in stride, especially Scarlett, who was used to Loren taking on multiple opponents at once.

Moreover, she thought having a few more wasn't a bad thing. If there were too few, she really couldn't handle it.

"I'm really leaving this time. I really envy your two maids, being able to stay with you forever..."

Chloe's words carried a deep sense of regret. Loren didn't know why she specifically envied his two maids. If it was really just about being with him, she should envy Anna.

And Loren had four maids; why did she only mention two?

However, Loren didn't get a chance to voice these questions. Chloe had already disappeared from his sight.

"So mysterious..."

After Chloe left, Loren opened the gifts she brought and took a look. He found Chloe's gifts rather strange. She was a witch; even if she brought some wild fruits, it would make more sense than bringing these ordinary things.

"This is the first time alcohol has appeared in my house..."

Loren didn't like drinking, and the others were even less inclined, so the only alcohol at home was cooking wine used for removing fishy smells.

However, just as Loren opened the gift box containing the red wine, he saw a familiar mark inside.

It was an Inverted Cross, with an eye in the middle, very similar to the pendant on Chloe's chest.

This was the symbol of The Perpetual Observer, and this symbol was on a card.

With an excited heart, Loren picked up that piece of paper.

"Tarot cards... The Hermit..."

Loren remembered this card was in the hands of the Secret Witch. Connecting it with Chloe's behavior just now, Loren had already guessed her identity.

"Chloe is the Secret Witch..."

At the same time, Loren also understood why she left in such a hurry... She should be called 'It' now.

As an existence of the same level as the Orthodox Gods, It, like the other Orthodox Gods, must constantly resist the invasion of the Outer Gods.

Even so, It still managed to carve out time specifically to thank Loren and even brought Loren The Hermit card. As an Orthodox God of the Witches' Church with significant ties to The Perpetual Observer, It must clearly understand the importance of The Hermit card.

Yet It still gave The Hermit card to him.

"Does It know I'm collecting the Tarot cards?"

This wasn't entirely logical either. In theory, with Loren having the Observer's blessing, mere authority of an Orthodox God shouldn't be able to monitor Loren.

However, one thing Loren could be sure of: Chloe was on his side. Not only did she actively reveal her identity to Loren, but she also gave Loren her most important possession.

She might have even guessed that Loren didn't like alcohol, so he would check the wine bottle first, thus placing The Hermit card inside.