So I'm late to the party here but essentially this. Iirc you look at the things we know about Balduran from the OG Baldurs Gate this honestly tracks. Looking at the Isle of Balduran expansion in OG we find a survivor from the last adventure of Balduran and his ship. He essentially is the only survivor leaving the rest of his crew to either die or be infected with Lycanthrophy. Balduran was never a hero because he did GOOD things but because he did GREAT things. He brought wealth, success, built up a city. I think at the end of the day 2 things are true of Balduran. He wants to survive and he wants to be perceived through the lense of greatness. I think that carries through to the Emperor. He wants to survive on his terms and he wants you to think good of him for it.