The Ballad of Adler Young, Canto 2.5

I have to agree with smuchmuch here. I liked the earlier part of Ballad and its courtly intrigue where it felt like we were an active participant in the events, but recently Adler has turned into a side character in his own story. I've suggested before that he should start acting more seriously, and it feels frustrating to rebuild only to get returned to square one by powers beyond his control. I know that the Ballad is prequel to another work, and it makes me wonder if there's much story left to be told here?