They’re very insistent. They also love to ignore how certain characters support Edelgard under duress. 

I recruited Petra in the Golden Deer route. Petra is a vassal of the empire. People have brought up that Edelgard has the power to change the status of Brigid. However, they also ignore that Petra’s involvement hinges on that. There’s a conversation Byleth has with her that brings up this very point. If she supports Edelgard, it could benefit her people. If she doesn’t, then they will swiftly try to retake her as a vassal and it could spell disaster for Brigid. 

Dimitri still fights to protect Duscur survivors in Dedue’s paralogue despite the fact that he’s called a monster and they don’t trust him. There’s no catch. He believes it’s the right thing to do. So, he does it. (This, with the approval of The Church no less. The lack of nuanced understanding of The Church’s position in Fodlan is another issue among Edelgard stans but I digress). The point is that if she has power to change society, it shouldn’t hinge on such conditions. 

Plus, it’s hard to take her goals seriously when she directly benefits from the systems she claims to be fighting against. She pretends to be knowledgeable, in control, and strategic. Yet, she’s caught off guard by how deep the Slithers have been involved in her plans. She gives power to people who aren’t necessarily fit for their position. Those who don’t act under duress act because they benefit in some way. Not because it’s the right thing to do. 

Honestly, she could have been a well written antagonist. I’ve liked antagonists like her in other videogames, even if I don’t agree with them. However. I don’t think the developers thought hard enough about her story. They spend a lot of dialogue options getting me to sympathize with “her path” without really giving me a reason to. Many of her claims end up exaggerated or unproven. Now, we have a hoard of fans who think imperialism is cool if a girl is in charge.

FANS MYSELF.....