By the end of IV, Edward can handle the Antlion by himself. Manufacturing Sand Rubies and selling them as jewelry or cure-all medicines would easily save the economy. Where in the world does one get an idea that stealing, breeding, and eating chocobos is the easiest path to success? Baron's forest is inaccessible via earthquake mountains if you live in Damcyan and you need a hovercraft to even think crossing Hobbs, that place where fighting monks go to train, before you trek to the other side of Fabul's kingdom. Troia? Not even going to bother explaining that. Nope, the better idea is making the Antlion poop Sand Rubies for life.