Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 161: The Divide Between Rich and Poor

The sham of an election was bad enough, but Elena’s relentless teasing on the walk back was pushing Jax to his absolute limit.

“Hahaha! A ‘fair and just election,’ they said!” Elena giggled, her eyes dancing with mischief as she trailed beside him. “I didn’t realize there was so much underhanded dealing involved. I really underestimated you! How did it feel up on that pedestal? I was getting second-hand embarrassment just watching you.”

“Are you quite finished?” Jax sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’ve let you run your mouth this whole trip. Say one more word, and I swear I’ll put you over my knee.”

He raised a hand, making a mock-slapping motion purely to needle her, recalling the familiar, firm sensation from the last time she’d forced his hand.

Elena rolled her eyes, completely unfazed. “You wouldn’t dare. Lay one finger on me, and I’ll have Barnaby beat you black and blue.”

A sudden commotion outside cut their bickering short. Jax glanced toward the entrance as the heads of the prominent families and major guild leaders filed in. Their arms were laden with extravagantly wrapped gifts, and practiced, sycophantic smiles were plastered across their faces.

“Sir Jax! Congratulations on becoming the first City Lord of The Sprawl!” one guild leader gushed. “With you at the helm, we won’t have to worry about a thing.”

“Indeed!” another chimed in. “Your heroic stand against the Insect Swarm is already legendary. Your election was the only logical outcome.”

Director Quinn stepped forward, a wide smile crinkling the corners of his eyes as he offered a velvet, palm-sized box. “Congratulations, Brother Jax—ah, forgive me, I suppose it’s City Lord now! Haha! Tell me, were our arrangements to your satisfaction?”

Jax stared at the man’s smug, wrinkled face. It took every ounce of his willpower not to take off his heavy boot and beat the old man’s face smooth with it. Arrangements? You mean the hostage situation you called an election? But they were technically trying to play nice, so he couldn’t just throw them out. It was all political theater for the observers from Redrock Bastion anyway; the truth of the vote hardly mattered.

Swallowing his irritation, Jax offered a weary nod. “Thank you all for your hard work. You can take the gifts back, though. We’re in the middle of reorganizing, and moving all this is just going to be a hassle.”

Director Quinn gave a slight bow. “Think nothing of it, City Lord. The new City Lord’s estate is already under construction. We’re rebuilding the mansion that was destroyed by the Swarm, and it should be move-in ready within a month. I’m afraid you’ll just have to endure these humble accommodations until then.”

Jax glanced around the room, taking in the opulent, gilded decorations and plush velvet seating. If this was considered “enduring,” he didn’t want to know what they thought of his previous living conditions.

After a few more rounds of exhausting flattery, the elites bowed their way out—conveniently “forgetting” their gifts in the corner of the room.

No sooner had they left than the representatives from the civilian district arrived. Their gifts didn’t come in velvet boxes or silk ribbons, but the sincerity in their eyes was unmistakable.

Liu Hu stepped into the room, carefully holding a hand-carved wooden desk ornament. He stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes widening at the mountain of luxurious gift boxes piled in the corner. A deep flush of embarrassment crept up his neck.

“Uhm… City Lord Jax,” Liu Hu stammered, awkwardly holding out his simple carving. “This is just a small token from us. We hope you don’t mind it.”

Jax smiled warmly and pointed to the seating area. “Brother Hu, you’re too polite. Put that down and take a seat. All of you, sit.” He shot a glance at his companion. “Elena, don’t just stand there. Pour our guests some tea.”

Elena puffed out her cheeks in a textbook pout, clearly indignant at being treated like a maid. Still, she recognized the weight of the moment, pasting on a polite smile as she fetched the tea set.

Jax knew the truth. The elites might throw the parties, but The Sprawl had survived the Insect Swarm on the backs of these civilians. They had paid the highest price in blood and sweat, forming the absolute backbone of the defense. Without them, the city would be nothing but a ruined crater by now.

They chatted amiably for a few minutes, but Liu Hu remained fidgety, repeatedly glancing at the men beside him. They sat rigid, hands clamped on their knees, silently urging him on with desperate looks.

Jax caught the silent exchange. “Brother Hu, whatever is on your mind, just say it. There’s no need to walk on eggshells around me. We’re on the same side.”

Liu Hu took a deep breath. “Actually… we came here hoping to discuss a matter with you.” He paused, his shoulders slumping slightly. “Ah, to hell with it. I’ll just ask. If you say no, City Lord, we won’t hold it against you.”

Jax chuckled, leaning back in his chair. “If you’re going to build it up like that, you better spit it out. I’m not a fan of beating around the bush.”

“It’s about the schools,” Liu Hu blurted out. “We… we were hoping you might open the schools in The Sprawl to the civilian districts. You don’t have to worry about the money—we’ll pay the tuition fees! We just want our kids to have a chance to learn.”

The other representatives immediately chimed in, their voices thick with emotion.

“City Lord, our children are innocent! They shouldn’t be locked out of an education just because of where they were born.”

“We can eat the bitterness! We’ll work the hard labor until our backs break. We just don’t want our kids to be stuck doing it for the rest of their lives!”

“Please, City Lord! Think of the blood we shed together on the Wall against the Swarm. Give us this, and we swear we’ll follow you to the ends of the earth!”

A genuine smile broke across Jax’s face. He had spent the last few days agonizing over the structural rot within The Sprawl. The greatest threat to the city wasn’t outside the walls; it was the boiling tension between the rich and the poor. As a transmigrator, he had seen enough of history to know exactly where stark class divides inevitably led: revolution and ruin.

If he wanted to actually govern The Sprawl—and avoid waking up to a riot—he had to bridge this gap. Besides, solving it now meant fewer headaches later, and Jax despised headaches.

“Is that all?” Jax asked, looking around at their tense faces. “Consider it done. Once I officially take office, I’ll tear down those restrictions. Don’t worry about the schools, and don’t worry about jobs. I’m going to overhaul the entire system. Just give me a little time.”

A wave of pure relief washed over the men. Some choked back tears as they stood and bowed deeply to him.

“Alright, alright, get up,” Jax said gently, walking them toward the door. “Head back for now. The city is still a mess, and I’ll need your people to cooperate with the noble families during the reconstruction. I’m going to have a little chat with them about these changes later today. Leave the heavy lifting to me.”

The moment the door clicked shut, Jax rubbed his face, ready to dive into the logistical nightmare of city planning.

Instead, the door swung open again. It was Sawyer.

Jax groaned, shaking his head. “Brother Sawyer, don’t tell me you forgot to bring a gift and came back to congratulate me?”

Sawyer smirked, leaning against the doorframe. “Hardly. I figured you were already choking on all the fake praise today.”

Jax sighed, dropping back into his chair. “You have no idea. Could you guys have made it look any less staged? Anyone watching would think I’m an egomaniac who forced you all to stroke my vanity at gunpoint. Anyway, if you aren’t here to kiss the ring, what do you want?”

“I’m here to take you to see someone,” Sawyer said, his tone turning serious.

“Oh? Who?”

“Victor.”

Jax froze. “Victor? What’s he doing all the way out here in The Sprawl? Did something go wrong at the Wall?”

Sawyer gestured down the hall. “You’ll know when we get there. Let’s go.”