I can understand them not wanting to make war the focus of a story again, but it would feel pretty anti-climactic if the whole situation in Ilsabard blew over with no conflict whatsoever.

The Garlean legions seem to intend to break off their respective provinces into their own independently governed states, but whether that will be for weal or woe remains to be seen. Having to deal with the political turmoil on top of some larger-scale threat be it supernatural or otherwise would make for a compelling story, IMO.