The title is an absolute disservice to the actual content of the novel. The main character only actually defends his dungeon in the prologue as... more>> an introduction to the world. The rest of the novel goes through many themes of politics, economics, psychology and war, each done through a masterful way. In particular, the translator has translated the main war extremely well, though that is a reward reserved for those who get to the end of the current release (volume 5). In particular, I consider volume 5, chapter 3 the single best translated chapter I have ever read. Finally, It has most polished antihero protagonist I've ever seen. <<less

This is the darkest novel on the list, and mainly listed on here as it doesn't shy away from this darkness, but embraces it and goes to show more than the full story. As an example, the first arc could be described as "how to tame a wife". Not in a shallow fashion either, literally going into isolation, psychological manipulation and much more. The first set has probably been explored in a shallower fashion before, but this novel also goes into the after effects of the "taming" process. What happens to the girl when the only support pillar in her life (as a result of the "taming process") leaves for war, or just simply doesn't... more>> have the time to always be around her? After the first arc, the novel focuses more on the mc, but still goes and analyzes various truly tragic tropes of girls around him. Though the novel is written from the mc's pov, the occasional insights into the women around him has personally changed my perspective on this topic more than any other novel.

*Small shoutout for the best translator notes I've seen in any novel. <<less

This novel is particularly noteworthy as it follows the mc throughout his entire life, starting from his education as a child to his eventual rise... more>> to power. It is a life journey and you get to see the main character maturing throughout the novel. In particular, I feel like it handles the question of power vs love extremely well later into the novel <<less

This is my personal favorite slice of life novel. It is very laid back and very wholesome overall. It is enjoyable in particular to read... more>> for once about a guy who genuinely cares about the future of humanity and selflessly contributing his talents to society. <<less

This novel is the epitome of "trust no one." It is one of the only novels I've seen that truly boils the world down to... more>> personal interests. No one is above betrayal, and as a result, even minor characters are more scheming than geniuses in standard novels. Furthermore, the novel has an extremely unique cultivation style not found in any other novel. <<less

A fictional story built with a level of depth, you would think this is an actual historical novel. The novel not only explores many ancient... more>> themes (politics, economics, war, religion, loyalty), but actually tackles the question of the relationship of a servant more powerful than the master.   <<less

In terms of going through political schemes, this novel has no match. Political verbal battles throughout this novel extremely thorough, often lasting over 20 chapters.... more>> Additionally, the novel explores the impact of a person with modern ideals would have on the world if they are in a position of power. It is shown that while the mc may have thought that he solved the present issue in a "perfect manner" which kept with his morals, it has caused 10 bigger issues to spring up in the background causing far more damage than would have been done otherwise if he followed the ideal of the feudal world. <<less

Probably the most standard cultivation progression novel in the list, but one that did this job the best. Starts out slow but exponentially speeds up.

Although the novel is decently repetitive, I place it on the list as it has the most original tiles/names among all the novel's I have... more>> read. It has directly influenced my own vocabulary and naming style. <<less