>>712816187
The Lightwardens are just a means to an end.
They're the big bad bookend to each chapter of the expansion that show you the progress you've been making while allowing for the characters to go on this adventure relatively unimpeded.
It's a classic JRPG trope - there's a bunch of bosses scattered across the world that need to die for it to be saved, go do it.
From that point any faffing about or character building scenes are justified since you know you're always making progress towards the Lightwardens.
It's the kind of thing other XIV expansions lack, real signifiers that what you're doing isn't a complete waste of time.