I get you, but they decided to take on the projectlilely knowing the story, so why half ass it now? I dunno, commit to the bit at least!
I do agree though, a very drippy mc. Just stands around letting everyone do things to him and for him, dragging him around no agency at all. Really hard to follow what he wants or understand him at all.
Many things. Could be the artist giving up, tbh it was a good start and plot so artists want to pick up the project. Until the protagonist started acting stupid
Or since it receives bad reviews/acceptance, so nobody wants to buy just read free affecting sales. No money, no project for artist, thus forced ending

So so rushed compared to the novel.... definitely feeling an author who wants this story done with. It's a shame. The nuance and time between him coming back and even seeing the emperor or having this convo was longer and felt more earned. This is just a smash cut of the story at this point... something about the drawings too, the emotions just aren't there for me anymore, like bad actors. W/e maybe I was too into the novel so this feels disappointing.