Of all the things in FFXIV that are basically handed to players.

Level 50 a few day,
Gear sure 450 a week cap but still handed to players, you do a little grind you get.

Then relic, Something you need to work for. Something you feel good about finishing OMG. Every time I finish a stage of my relic I'm happy my weapon is better and I know I'm going to make it better yet.
If you don't like it don't do it. I personally love the relic quest line as it give me something to work for vs just spamming END game.