After My Childhood Friends Fiancé Was Taken Away, and I Was Subsequently Banished Along With the Saints Stepsister, I Decided to Watch as Those Who Betrayed Me Meet Their Downfall

The fiancé of my childhood friend was stolen away, And my stepsister, whom I had admired since childhood, had her engagement unreasonably broken off and was declared banished. In shock, along with my stepsister who regressed to an infantile state, we were expelled from our homeland. The country that exiled us is now falling apart. Meanwhile, we’re living comfortably in our place of exile, so please hurry up and perish.

Original Publisher

kakuyomu

Original Language

japanese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on *After My Childhood Friends Fiancé Was Taken Away, and I Was Subsequently Banished Along With the Saints Stepsister, I Decided to Watch as Those Who Betrayed Me Meet Their Downfall* Okay, that title is a mouthful, isn't it? I dove into this novel with a healthy dose of skepticism, given the sheer length of the title and the… specific premise. Let's just say my expectations weren't sky-high. ### First Impressions The initial setup is classic betrayal fare: a protagonist wronged, a kingdom seemingly gone mad, and a promise of eventual comeuppance. I was ready for a fun revenge story, but I quickly found myself struggling to connect with the narrative. ### What Works Well Honestly, finding positives was a bit of a challenge. The *idea* of a kingdom regretting its rash decisions is intriguing, and the inclusion of elements like dragon riders and spirits hints at a potentially rich world. However, the execution… well, that's where things get dicey. ### Areas of Concern My biggest issue, and one I suspect many readers share, is the characterization. The MC’s decisions often felt baffling. The idea of willingly exiling himself, despite possessing the power to enact change, struck me as odd. It’s hard to root for a protagonist who seems to actively contribute to his own misfortune. The intelligence of the surrounding characters also feels questionable. The fact that the kingdom's ruling class so easily falls prey to an obvious villain, and then seems surprised when things go south, strains credulity. It makes it difficult to invest in the world or feel any satisfaction in their inevitable downfall. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Okay, here's where I have to tread carefully. Some readers have pointed out that the reason for the exile is tied to seals against a Demon King, and that the exiled characters are actually vital to the kingdom's survival. This revelation, instead of adding intrigue, seems to amplify the kingdom's apparent stupidity, making the entire situation feel contrived. ### Final Verdict Ultimately, *After My Childhood Friends Fiancé Was Taken Away, and I Was Subsequently Banished Along With the Saints Stepsister, I Decided to Watch as Those Who Betrayed Me Meet Their Downfall* falls short of its potential. While the premise offers a glimmer of hope for a satisfying revenge tale, the execution, particularly in terms of character motivations and world-building consistency, leaves much to be desired. I'm giving it a pass for now, but I'll keep an eye out in case it manages to turn things around.