I've read 15 volumes as of now. The title of the light novel is misleading, but in a good way. The protagonist is a pretty capable, loyal partner and a good advisor, not a lazy, do-nothing boyfriend. The pace is steady in the beginning. It begins to crawl around volume 3, but gets back on track from volume 5 onwards. Each chapter gradually reveals the political web of the country, without overwhelming with world-building. The stakes keep evolving, and the leads' chemistry keeps the story interesting without being too slow or too fast. When it comes to politics, two light novels shine: 'Ascendance of a Bookworm' and 'TheGenius Prince's Guide to Raising a Nation'. I can easily add this one to the list. AoaB has a more city-cultural-church-nobility system, but Ideal Sponger goes on a national level with taxes, diplomacy, succession, and war. And unlike Genius Prince, the story is not snappy-paced, and Zenjirou is not always manipulating his enemies with wit, but uses modern corporate tactics and also compromises on certain things. This light novel feels warmer instead of the constant cynicism.

The MC is not overpowered by magic, but he adapts and respects the local culture and introduces efficient ideas. He is not a know-all, but gradually learns and adapts to the feudalistic system. Everyone has nuanced backgrounds, and the plot swirls through all to deliver something that feels believable.

The novel is pretty cozy and does politics without the drama. The character growth and romance are slow-burn and satisfying, so go in for the long haul. But each volume is a quick read, compared to most other LNs.