[SPOILERS] Stormblood Ending

[Cilia]

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I don't know what world you live in, but we didn't assault Doma or Ala Mhigo for the glory of it. We did it to repatriate the Domans and Ala Mhigans, who had their homes taken from them in bloody wars of conquest for no reason 25 and 20 years ago, respectively, and whose populace had lived in poverty and terror since. The Empire had done nothing to improve their lives, and other than the Skulls literally all the natives living in the then-provinces hated the Empire's guts.

As for the other bit?

[T]oday will not be the day [of my reckoning], and you will not be the judge!

To be fair, the Warrior of Light and many of his allies are canonically shown to smile, cheer and show pleasure when faced with the prospect of taking the fight to not only the Garleans but certain other individuals and factions as well. He is by no means on the same level as Zenos but at the same time he isn't exactly opposed to doing some very dubious things such as infusing a weapon with the aether/souls of slain combatants. Of course, that may be brushed off as 'not a big deal' but I bet the shoe would be on a different foot if Garlemald happened to be confirmed to be doing similar things...

At the end of the day if we consider every side quest as 'canon' - and I see no reason not to do so - then there's definitely shady elements such as the above scenario to consider.

We don't smile or show pleasure at the thought of fighting (killing) anyone. We do it as a measure of reassurance to others that we'll accomplish our mission and make it back safely - and perhaps to reassure ourselves that we can make it. That doesn't mean we have to kill enemies - they always have the option of pulling back, not fighting to the death, surrendering, etc. We never cheer before a fight - and not always after, such as with Hypertuned Grynewaht and Edda.

We've killed some Imperials for a better weapon to defend hearth and home with. Zenos instigated rebellions because he was bored and wanted to fight somebody. The Empire dropped a moon on Eorzea because it was the easiest solution for getting rid of the native beast tribes and their primals.

One is very shady. One is selfish and bloody. One is an unnecessary, utter atrocity.

There's a very early side quest in the Peaks, where you go talk to a woman. She says she aches, and if she just had these three things from the local fauna, she could make a tea to help alleviate it. So you go get the items she needs. When you get back she's astonished you did so, since the Empire has made it a de facto rule that you can't help her because she's too old and infirm to work, so it doesn't see the value in keeping her alive.

... to say the Warrior of Light is no better than Zenos or the Empire is nonsense.

...!