Can you feel it, reader, the weight of the axe's swing?
This is the first time I could feel it hitting so hard.
However, I cannot honestly say it is undeserved.
It somehow felt both rushed and slow for most of the time. The MC seemed to get some impossible knowledge excused as "I got some past memories", knowledge that makes no sense using in the game we see him playing - and playing as if he is in both lives at once, even.
This is not even an abrupt end. The second-to-last chapter makes it clear they wanted to give us a sample of competence as if asking for another chance, then this one ending mid-conversation as almost a sequel hook. But too little, too late.
And in my opinion, they went the wrong path for that. Should have instead done the two final chapters as if a big brawl for the princess' duel, or at least had the duel take part in them. End the story in a victory, as if saying they can give us more, instead of a big tease like it all felt until then.