Once we know more about the history of the land they're fighting for, the fight will have more meaning. The gold will probably be brought into it somewhere.

I'm loving this flashback. I immediately liked Norland and his crew... is that an iced-donut on his head?

At the end of the sub-arc we'll probably have a much deeper appreciation for the Shandians, etc and it will be a lot more meaningful when Enel gets his ass handed to him.