I ran out of good novels again! ( Not really, just almost. ) Firstly, no comedy ( or less amount of comedy as possible. ), I want serious novels. No ecchi/adult/harem tag, I hate them, always a distraction from the main plot. The protagonists should be ruthless to enemies but can be friendly to allies.( Not easily forgive the antagonists who just kill his friend. ) The protagonist must be schemer with the observant mind, no a naive boy who is sex-driven. The antagonist doesn't need to be as smart as the protagonist but not your typical young master with a mind of an idiot.
The Death Mage who Doesn't want a fourth time Van fits the criteria. BUT the current side stories are mad hype with all these multiple perspectives going to war with one another. heck even the SS which doesnt have the MC has many people with your criteria, but going against one another