I always hate the "the protagonist has interfered with our plans, we must bring our plans forward" development because its such a futile contrivance. If the enemy could have simply completed their plan at any time why didn't they? If the MC interferes then why can the enemy somehow accelerate their plans as if everything was perfect for them?
Comment by DrDrako on Sister-in-law of the Heroine in a Childcare Novel - Chapter 35
2 Replies
@DrDrako the thing is, if they stay the course, a d the mc grows stronger, what's the point? It's like how the demon king doesn't immediately kill the hero but waits until the hero grows strong enough fight them. This is along the same lines. Rather than wait for the hero to get stronger but staying with the perfect plan, it's better to move faster and give the mc less time to grow. It makes sense in most contexts, especially since the mc in this case is your literal nemesis
@Rebel against the harem the problem is that its always the perfect plan. If the MCs actions caused some vulnerability or flaw in that plan that would be one thing, but it always ends up proceeding as if the MC did nothing but somehow accelerated.
If the MCs actions don't have any actual effect due to plot contrivance it means there are no stakes to begin with.