Overall, the story seems above average with palatable art, a unique enough journey for what it is, and some interesting world building. There are also some flaws that bring it down. If we just want the quality of storytelling, I'll give it a 4.
But there are some massive issues, like how the FL (female lead) basically
drugged and raped
the MC (main character) and somehow the fact the inn keeper's wife helped her do it isn't seen as bad. The whole situation is treated nonchalantly.
The story's world has twisted morals, and quite frankly, I'm not sure how much that should weigh in on the score, because while it is fiction, I do feel there is a possibility of someone young and dumb enough reading this and getting the wrong idea. Because I have seen young teens make bad decisions with little reason behind it.
This story comes across as condoning the use of sex as a way to trap a partner, and then proceeds to show the reader it'll all turn out alright. It never does in reality. And again, I do think there is a possibility a young teen basically derails their life after reading this manga, because, as I've mentioned before, young teens don't need a lot of influence to be convinced to do something that dumb. I could name someone I knew (she gave birth before she turned 14).
Now, the biggest in-story flaw is how the main character reacted to the fate of someone and bizarrely blamed himself for it. Imagine someone literally stabs you in the back, and then you blame yourself for them getting jail time for attempted murder. For the sake of preventing spoilers, that's not exactly what happens: what actually happens is significantly more disrespectful to readers' intelligence.
It trys to tell the reader who to blame, and what it blames makes literally no sense. It is some of the most artificially created drama I've read in a story.
These aren't small issues, even if they make up small parts of the story. Feels above average overall, but is below average when you objectively look at what logic the story uses in order to artificially create drama.
You can just tell that a massive plot hole will come in the future if that's what the author is willing to do 22 chapters in.
I expect, if I continue reading, to see this story-only rating drop below 4. Not immediately, but eventually.