systemd made time servers a compile-time option and a warn if distros are using the default time servers:

https://github.com/systemd/systemd/pull/554

What's your suggested alternative?

Using pool.ntp.org requires a vendor zone. systemd does not consider itself a vendor, it's the distros shipping systemd which are the vendor and should register and use their own vendor zone.

I don't care about systemd either way, but your own false representation of facts makes your last paragraph apply to your "argument".