Quote Originally Posted by RopeDrink View Post
Zenos is the LAST person you would EVER want to know about what we discovered on the First. Zenos is also the last person you would ever want with a finger on the button of something like Black Rose. EVER. Yes, we know he considered it a cowardly weapon (ie. doesn't want the WoL being casually/randomly slain by it), but that doesn't mean he won't consider it later if it helps flush out his target, or that it won't be used by a more desperate/chaotic Empire now that its own leader is slain.

Zenos is also (unwillingly or unknowingly) a perfect seed-sower for Elidibus. Zenos by himself is bad enough, but Zenos and other Warriors of Light is... not good news for our WoL (or anyone), though it opens the potential for Zenos to find something else to hunt, either by himself or possibly in a sort of temporary partnership with our WoL (but that's unlikely). Either way - within two sword-strokes, Zenos has no doubt crippled the empire. I dare say Varis named no successor (just like his complaint of Solus), and even the one with the power to wrest it for himself has absolutely no interest in it. The only other (known/potential) contender is Gaius himself, and it's safe to assume he won't be immediately capable of that. Despite already being saved 'by future influence', the WoL could be said to have also been saved by Zenos in a way (if he has indeed stopped the use of Black Rose, but I firmly believe he will eventually use it himself despite what he said at the end of the cutscene. He's the type to do so if it gets him what he wants, and that is scary. It could end up being WORSE than what was initially predicted).
Gaius wouldn't be welcomed as Emperor. Despite his accomplishments, him and the entire XIVth officially became enemies of the Empire when he refused to withdraw from Eorzea. Every current and former legatus would contest his claim to the throne, as would every single noble house. With no blood heir, Garlemald would be facing a bloodier and longer war of succession. The Empire is effectively dead.

With Doma and the Alliance having seeded rebellions all throughout Imperial territory, the whole of Illsabard could be at war with itself. It would be a dream scenario for the Ascians.