Garlemald has never been portrayed as evil. Ruthless? Certainly - though there's some pretty good reasons for that given the horrific persecution that Pureblood Garleans have endured throughout the ages. Time and time again we've seen that things are not so simple in regards to Garlemald. Gaius and Regula were shown to be honourable, particularly in the case of the latter. As far as the deaths of Garlean soldiers are concerned, let us not forget that Hien flooded Doma Castle. Drowning is an exceptionally traumatic and painful experience. Had it been Yotsuyu who had flooded the place to subject Doman fighters to the same fate I do not doubt that some of the regular posters here would be up in arms and pointing out how unforgivable and monstrous such an act was.