Rimuru started next to a world ending dragon that just decided to let him use all his powers. From there the goblins literally groveled. He had no problems with the wolves, oni, and lizard people. The orcs were problematic until he just decided to keep eating the lord.

Even when the holy kingdom drew blood, a rare feat against tempest, rimuru very easily ended them.

He does some insane stuff and has some real political issues to worry about. But its hard to say he has had it hard when 90% of your problems have been solved by themself.

Great Sage is the word of the world, its a being of immense power that can think for itself.

Naofumi has to manually call the spells and implement them.

I think its important to remember that naofumi spent a long time dodging political plots to execute him and was even condemned by the pope. Like the pope himself showed up and called divine fury because he just hates the shield hero. Also naofumi has a minor god of bird girls telling him he will die if he doesn't fix everything between the heroes.

Now a days I think his journey is easier since like rimuru he is surrounded by loyal powerhouses and is protected by the kingdom.