Azad was a country where conglomerates reigned supreme, while the power of its leader seemed minuscule in comparison due to the little influence they held in the cities. Which in turn causes the guardsmen and police to be understaffed or barely functioning due to a lack of funds.
The same is true for other regulatory boards that exist to keep businesses in check. Their existence is never to hold back the businesses that ravage these lands; they ensure sustainability and taxes.
Taxes that fund the Azad's military, which is far greater in size compared to Cynark's. And with the slaves being allowed in the country, it's not weird to find entire battalions built up of slaves that are led by said army.
As long as the conglomerates pay the imperial army, they can do whatever they want. In return, this caused the imperials to distance themselves from the cruelty their people suffered and focus entirely on one thing.
"Expansion."
