It's mainly in reference to the naming conventions, hierarchical structure, and penchant for conquest. The real-world Roman Empire didn't start building aqueducts for its conquered territories until well into its reign.
Similarly, the Garlean Empire is less than a century old. They probably didn't plan to play nice and share widespread magitek prosperity with their vassal states until all the indigenous resistance / eikon tribal worship got wiped out - which is why Cid defecting and forming Garlond Ironworks is such an affront.
Judging from Regula van Hydrus' dialogue, there's a lot of games of thronesy infighting back home that's slowing the empire down, on top of all the rebellions you foment in Stormblood. I fully expect we'll be seeing Ilsabard or Meracydia in 5.0 after freeing Ala Mhigo and Othard in 4.0-4.x.
Similarly, the Garlean Empire is less than a century old. They probably didn't plan to play nice and share widespread magitek prosperity with their vassal states until all the indigenous resistance / eikon tribal worship got wiped out - which is why Cid defecting and forming Garlond Ironworks is such an affront.
Judging from Regula van Hydrus' dialogue, there's a lot of games of thronesy infighting back home that's slowing the empire down, on top of all the rebellions you foment in Stormblood. I fully expect we'll be seeing Ilsabard or Meracydia in 5.0 after freeing Ala Mhigo and Othard in 4.0-4.x.
![[Image: Pi2KNMr.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/Pi2KNMr.jpg)
