The man behind the counter explained it clearly.
"Only five people in the entire kingdom hold this VIP card, and I know every single one of them. You're not one of them," the man said. "Which means this card is fake."
That was why he had signaled for the guards to move in. They were ready to escort Silas out—or worse, if needed.
Silas tried to keep calm and explain himself. "This is a genuine VIP card. Titus gave it to me."
The moment he mentioned Titus, the man frowned. "Titus? There's no way. He's not the kind of person who becomes friends with anyone that easily. Guards, take him out."
Silas felt cornered. He couldn't fight them, and he had no proof the card was real. All he had was his word—and in that situation, it wasn't worth much.
Just when he thought things would go south, an old man descended the grand staircase of the hotel. Silas recognized him instantly—and let out a long sigh of relief.
"What's going on here?" Titus asked, his voice calm but with a sharp undertone.
The man at the counter rushed to explain. "This man showed up with a VIP card. It must be fake."
Titus turned his head, spotted Silas, and broke into a warm smile. "Silas, my dear friend."
He walked straight up to him and shook his hand in front of the guards and the front desk staff. Everyone's face went pale. The tension in the air shifted immediately—fear replaced suspicion.
Titus sighed, clearly annoyed. "I'll let this slide because it's partly my fault for not informing you beforehand. But make sure every single one of our hotels knows about this. From now on, Silas is to be treated with the highest priority. Understood?"
"Of course, sir! We'll notify every branch immediately. We deeply apologize for this mistake. It won't happen again."
All the hotel staff were relieved that Titus chose to let the incident slide. But one thing was certain—they would spread the word about Silas to every hotel branch. None of them wanted to risk disappointing Titus again.
"Come, come," Titus said, motioning with his hand. "Let me show you around."
He looked genuinely excited to show the place, which made sense—he was the co-owner, after all.
The first stop was the restaurant, which spanned both the first and second floors. Both were completely free for Silas.
"Having a VIP card like this means you can stay here for free… and eat for free," Titus said with a grin.
"Isn't this a little too generous? I mean… I can't really return the favor right now."
Titus laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about that, friend. I know you'll become someone important, someone powerful. Investing in the right friendships is part of business."
After the restaurant, Titus showed him the pools—both regular and heated—the hot springs, and even a sauna. The place was ridiculously luxurious, designed for comfort and relaxation at the highest level.
Silas was honestly glad to have this card. He wouldn't need to buy or rent a house for a long time, not with all these benefits. In fact… he might just stay at this hotel indefinitely.
The room assigned to him was on the top floor.
"All our hotels have certain rooms that are permanently reserved for VIP cardholders," Titus explained. "Room number 33 is yours in every branch across the kingdom."
"No one else can use it?"
"No. These rooms are always locked for VIPs only. One of our members left, so that's how this became available."
Silas tilted his head. "Why did he leave?"
"He's a powerful mage, conducting research abroad in another kingdom. He won't be back for years."
"I see…"
Silas also dreamed of exploring the world someday—but only after gaining the strength to survive out there. Only after fixing his mana core.
When he stepped inside the room, his eyes lit up. It was spacious and elegant, featuring a king-sized bed, a wide balcony with a stunning view, a polished desk, and a large bathroom.
The only thing missing was a kitchen—but with free meals downstairs, there was no need for one.
A fireplace sat in the corner, which would be perfect for the colder months. Winters in New Castle could be brutal.
"This is… really nice," Silas said, nodding in approval. "And which room is yours?"
"Mine's 35. I'll go get some rest for a while, but feel free to settle in. Make yourself at home."
Titus gave him a pat on the shoulder before leaving.
Silas jumped on the bed to test it. It was nice. Then, he walked over to the balcony and stood there for a while, looking down at New Castle.
The hotel was one of the tallest buildings in the city, located on higher ground as well, so Silas had a view of almost everything. He could even see his shop from there.
He was tired and wanted to rest, but hunger quickly took over. So, Silas went downstairs to grab something to eat at one of the restaurants.
The staff already knew who he was. The moment they spotted him, they rushed over, guided him to a table, and even pulled the chair for him to sit.
Other people in the restaurant glanced his way, curious about his identity, but no one dared approach him.
A waiter brought him the menu. Silas scanned it and quickly made his choice—smashed potatoes with meat. It sounded delicious.
The waiter nodded and rushed to the kitchen with his order. Meanwhile, Silas leaned back on the chair, glancing around the restaurant.
It was a fancy place. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, polished wooden floors reflected the light, and soft music played in the background. The smell of different spices and roasted meats filled the air, making his stomach growl even louder.
The other customers kept sneaking glances at him. Nobles, merchants, and adventurers alike whispered among themselves, trying to figure out who he was. A young man dressed with luxurious clothes, sitting alone, receiving the kind of treatment only someone important would get.
Silas grinned to himself. A few days ago, he wouldn't even be allowed near a place like this. Now, here he was, being treated like royalty.
It didn't take long for the food to arrive. The waiter placed a plate in front of him—perfectly smashed potatoes seasoned with herbs, and a thick, juicy piece of meat cooked just right.
"Enjoy your meal, sir," the waiter said with a polite bow.
Silas didn't waste time. The first bite of the meat almost melted in his mouth. Tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The potatoes were soft and buttery, a perfect match.
"This… this is insanely good," he mumbled between bites.
For a moment, everything else faded—the shop, the problems with Thomas, the missing money. Right now, it was just him and this glorious meal.
By the time he finished, he leaned back, completely satisfied. It was the best meal he had in a long time.
"Maybe… I should get dessert," Silas muttered, looking at the menu again with a grin.