Quote Originally Posted by Cloudane View Post
I was unfortnate enough to stumble across a spoiler shortly after starting (SO annoying when that happens) and it stated as if fact that he was brainwashed. I didn't see that in the game itself, but am happy enough with that as a theory.
He wasn't as far as the dialogue goes. Otherwise, why would he challenge Mateus when he returned? The only one who thinks that's it is Maria, and he does tell her this is on his own terms. Even if you went with a Kain Highwind-style mind control, it would have broken the moment the Emperor died.

And yeah, spoilers suck. Sadly, the internet is full of them.....