What's the point with that quite lackluster story in Endwalker?

[Teraq]

Whatever impulse motivated his choice at the beginning, did not save them from his machinations later. Zenos may have subjected them to horrors unimaginable, but Emet built them up so they would fall. Wounded lions meant to be devoured by vengeful hyenas.

Exactly – to me it's always come across as him picking Garlemald because they were underdogs, yes, but for the express purpose of exploiting these underdogs' resentment.

And I find it quite satisfying. After all, I don't shy away from identifying as an Ascian fan, not an Ancient fan first and foremost.