Aaron knew he had been a little too lenient with Zariel.
An Archdevil, a Fallen Angel who had caused the deaths of tens of thousands of mortals, a madwoman who had tempted countless souls into corruption, a battle maniac obsessed with vengeance, someone who wanted to kick Yeenoghu's and Baphomet's heads around like balls-and she had actually redeemed herself with ease through her lingering angelic essence.
That made no sense no matter how he looked at it!
Granted, after becoming an Archdevil, Zariel had never deliberately attacked the mortal world to slaughter mortals, since her attention had been focused on the Blood War. But she was unquestionably responsible for the corruption of many mortals, as well as certain cruel realities.
What exactly were Mount Celestia's standards? How did the seven supremely lawful and good beings of the Celestial Hebdomad view this matter? And what role had Lathander, the master Zariel had previously served, played in all this?
Aaron did not know yet. Under normal circumstances, Lathander was undoubtedly a good Greater Deity and a staunch ally of Mama Selûne. But whenever he went off the rails, the destruction he caused was no less than what the evil gods wrought together.
Moreover, as Aaron advanced the construction of the Heaven Pantheon, conflict between him and Lathander became inevitable. After all, the Ancient Sun God Amaunator was closer to Aaron, and Aaron had taken Zariel away from Lathander, which was bound to sour their relationship.
Thus, in the end, Aaron could only administer a token punishment, raising his hand high but bringing it down lightly. In truth, even if Zariel had insisted on behaving like an Archdevil and chosen death over submission, Aaron would still have kept her. He would simply have evacuated her personality and used Ultimate Alchemy to create another