It’s not a contradiction. She may very well feel that she’s the only one WHO GETS IT. and still be ruthless about possible threats to her position.
Seems like a false flag to me. Those rogues led Saurfang there, then announced their attack by running loudly from 20 feet away. They barely attacked before dying to unarmed targets.
I think the biggest issue here is that they tried to create a Machiavellian-style Horde leader through Sylvanas; maintaining rulership through ethically-questionable decisions and actions, ones that may be deemed as immoral but vital for the preservation of one’s state.
What Blizz fails at here is that while, yes, Machiavelli proposed some tyrannical methods to rulership, he was also keenly aware of how important it is to maintain some semblance of positive perception to the public masses you rule over. Never let your rule be questioned, but also give your subjects fewer acts to question. Be harsh, but know where to draw the line to avoid revolt.
Essentially, Sylvanas fits the criteria for all the despotic attributes of a Machiavellian ruler, but does not fulfill the necessary redeemable attributes that would prevent one’s rule from collapsing.
To use a GoT reference, Sylvanas comes off more as a Targaryen than as an earlier Lannister (I say “earlier” because the current generation of Lannisters suffer from the same faults as the Targaryens, whereas Tywin was a fine example of a Machiavellian aristocrat done right). All the madness and hunger for power, but without the intelligence and knowledge of when to utilize necessary evils to maintain a state.
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Nagrand is the closest thing Outland has to a “normal” place. I love flying through it.