There are warning 'flags' everywhere that the absolute can't really help you. They give you no loot, no rewards. You don't gain any allies, no sidequests to speak of, etc. Arguably you sabotage yourself, since you lose companions and romance options, kill off your most promising leads (Halsin etc) while gaining no real allies to speak of and it's revealed that your cover is blown right after the goblin party. Hell, even Volo tells you he's going to go around telling everyone that you are an evil murderer. Siding with the goblins is just screwing yourself over as they are written right now, and IMO that's more than a fair target of criticism.
Oh yeah i forgot about Volo, that will screw us when party gets to Baldurs gate or any other big settlement. Not to mention depending how much Volo knows, that could also tip off the cult too, screwing up any infiltration attemp.
