Szeth after the contest of champions

[Vin(Diesel)]

Szeth has sworn to obey the will of Dalinar Kholin until he finds a better way.

So if Dalinar loses the contest of champions, and if Dalinar keeps his oath to conquer for Odium through the Cosmere, Szeth will probably be bound to fight for Odium too until he reaches the 5th ideal.

By the way, the fact that we have only seen Skybreakers in future Cosmere scenes seems like evidence that only the Skybreakers will fight for Odium, which is the current situation and could mean that Dalinar wins, but could also mean that none of the other orders consider themselves bound by Dalinar’s law.

I could see Szeth reaching the 5th ideal being a climactic late-Cosmere moment. He becomes the law, then puts fused Dalinar out of his misery just before he can kill Harmony for Odium or something.

But at the beginning of Wind and Truth Szeth is rushing to fulfill the 4th ideal and Kaladin is planning to try to help him regain his mental health, so he might reach the 5th ideal much sooner than that.

[alder24]

50 minutes ago, Vin(Diesel) said:

Szeth has sworn to obey the will of Dalinar Kholin until he finds a better way.

So if Dalinar loses the contest of champions, and if Dalinar keeps his oath to conquer for Odium through the Cosmere, Szeth will probably be bound to fight for Odium too until he reaches the 5th ideal.

I don't think this is true. Szeth is already required to step above the 3rd Ideal and make judgments of his own during his crusade. RoW I-7:

Quote

“You may need to fight and destroy those who have broken their own laws. Can you do this?”
“I … would need to ask Dalinar. He is my Ideal.”
“If you progress as a Skybreaker,” the highspren said, “you will need to become the law. To reach your ultimate potential, you must know the truth yourself, rather than relying on the crutch presented by the Third Ideal. Be aware of this.”
“I will.”
“Continue your duty for now. But remember, the time will soon come when you must abandon it for something greater.”

But Dalinar can always order him to ignore any of his commands, if he were to lose the contest.

I think Szeth would rather break his bond than join Odium held by Taravangian. He became Truthless because he said a Desolation is coming, he was a monster under Taravngian's rule and he already chose to disobey Dalinar and kill Taravangian instead of risking being manipulated by him again. Szeth will do anything not to fall in this man's hands ever again.