Genjitsu Shugi Yuusha no Oukoku Saikenki

Yeah, man. I agree with you, if we exclusively talking about story. But every amateur writer (or even basic literature enthusiast) know, theres 2 sides of story that can be used as a highlight: story/plot and character(s).

A general murder mystery story is mainly about story. They dont delve deep in any motive, character, suspect, etc. Even if it does, it just used as a spice. Not the main dish. The highlight is the mystery & any chain of event that lead to the investigation of the said mystery.

A romance story is usually about character. Mostly the event & story progression is average, nothing special, or just blatantly copying another story just because its a ‘general experience’ that everyone can have & easily imagined. What make each of romance story special is their character. How the way they think? What would they do? How it would affect the event & interaction? Thats the highlight.

If we talk about story, then you are right, this LN story is half baked. But did you even try to see it as a whole? Try to step back and see how far the MC & other character transformation across the multiple volumes? Not just about his power, but his mental growth, priority shift, etc. You will know, story is NOT the highlight of this LN. If it is, then they wont spend 2 volumes almost full of MC monologue about justification of his action by using cruelty in war. Just kill and move on. The most important thing is the story right? Just move the plot, no need to explain the mental breakdown or whatever the hell MC think in his mind.

By seeing it like that, then you will know the charm of this story, man. This is like comparing PS & XBOX with Nintendo. Sure PS & XBOX is more powerful, has better graphic, easier to play & control compared to Nintendo. But do they even have any ‘special’ charm? Whats the difference between PS 4 & 5? XBOX 360 and One? Or even between PS & XBOX? Every single version released just adding more at processing power & graphic… and nothing more. Not a single new gameplay, no any innovation whatsoever…just sit down and push that button.

While any Nintendo console post 2000 has individual uniqueness. Sure not the strongest, not the best graphic, average at everything….but they for sure is one hell of a new experience every single time. Using pre-existing technology, and fuse it to make them interact with each other and make a new way to make everyone enjoy: touch screen (ds), gyro control (wii), mobile dual controller (switch), etc. Just like this novel, at some volume you get technological advancement, at another you get character focus, plot focus, romance,… they are very average at them, but they interact, and fuse to make something coherent & enjoyable that make us attracted & addicted to know: what happen next?

With other LN you said before, we know what we will get, sure because they are a focused theme story. But with this, we wont know what will hit us in the face next volume, or even the next chapter…and they get to interact & will make sense in the end.