The rush isn't good but if it means this awkward arc would ending sooner, then I'm kinda glad.
This arc is awkward because nobody is actually enjoying it. The party sure doesn't enjoy risking hometown in war and asking for a big favour from Wataru. Wataru hates everything he has to do, but couldn't not do it, because he knows he can make different between life and death there, even if he not care but his friends care. Their nobles and royalty were dealing which someone more powerful than them, don't care about them, yet crucial to them. And the enemy just knows they would be curbstomp before the fight begins.
The moment Wataru agreed to the plan, there can't be any surprise anymore. That's why this arc is so bad.