It sounds to me like WREN is one of those players who always wants the easy way out,the type of player who starts the game trains a few troops, expects to win, and attacks people and looses, or is atttacked and looses and then gives up playing.

Though he did say the developers are trying to get people fighting ,which I think is likely, Ryang didnt say it was about killing enemies,he said why research  battle requirements  if you dont use them.

Maybe  killing enemys is what you like about the game,you might prefer it to be mainly about killing enemys, but its not.

If the game was just about fighting  there would be nothing else to do apart from train troops and battle from the very beginning.

There is nothing to be gained  game wise,from killing enemies apart from experience points, and what benefit is that? Its just illusionary like the game itself.

The game is purely about  being all things to as many players as it can, keeping them happy and spending money , so they make a profit.

Shards are used to upgrade the Aes building. The benefit of the Aes building is a fighting advantage...ergo, the shards are useless if you don't fight because you don't need a boost in troop skill from the Valkyrie..