Yeah, the only way it would not be meta gaming is if it extends beyond this. They have to question everything else they do too. Did they succeed because “the cruel gods” wanted them to? Does that mean they should fail on purpose instead? Etc.

I don’t agree with the reasoning at all, but if you are going to agree with it it has to be painful. It also needs to be a lesson to the player to stop fucking around and just play the game.