When the region alert popped up Jay immediately walked up the ramparts. The walls were 3 meters tall. This way spears would still be able to reach any creature standing before it without being easy to climb. What also helped was the fact that the 'path' going up the mountain wasn't that easy to spot hence creatures with limited intelligence probably wouldn't be able to get up easily.
But things weren't all good, there were way more people then he had expected right of the bat. At the very least the number of people on the mountain would double over the duration of the event and that could cause major trouble.
Moreover, as if that wasn't enough, there were 300 wildcards here as well. If things got difficult for them they would probably ask to enter the settlement. When he obliged there was a decent chance they would get greedy and either try to get the stored life force crystals or the entire settlement.
This thought made Jay think. When they requested access he would either have to place them at the forefront of the battle or attack them right of the bat, before things got too hectic.
Since the mountain had a 500-meter diameter that meant that there was a 1400 meter long defensive circle even with the south not being fully taken. In the end, there would be 2 rotations, this way each soldier had to take care of 4 meters of the wall.
As for those that had reached Tier 1, they had free range to do as they thought was best. general Green and Geralt had decided amongst themselves not to appoint a commander, instead, they would keep things simple. You take care of your 4 meters, if you are unable you whistle and those next to you will assist if possible, if even then they were unable to take care of the threat Geralt, general Green or the nameless princess would come over to assist.
When they weren't truly needed anywhere they would stand guard the same as all other warriors. General Green in the east, Geralt in the south in case the other army made a move and the nameless princess in the west.
Originally Jay thought they would be able to relax somewhat in the beginning but because they had to protect so many people now the number of underground creatures would surely be high too.
A moment after thinking that an orange light shone upon everyone. The previously normal sunlight was slowly but surely turning scarlet. When he looked up to the sun a truly surprising event could be seen. The sun's light wasn't gradually changing, in reality, bright red scarlet dots appeared on the sun's surface, after just a minute the entire sun had changed and everything was covered in a golden glow.
Even more so the mana all over the region changed. The previously neutral mana darkened, spells from darker elements such as earth, matter, gravity, and poison strengthened while spells from lighter elements such as light, wind, wood, and life weakened. He even felt a change happening within his interspacial ring. The health potions inside were changing color from a healthy red to a sickly green.
Luckily, no changed happened concerning sword intent, hence his generals would be mostly unaffected. When Jay looked at his daughter standing atop a wall he could see a slightly wicked smile on her lips. It was clear this change could only be called positive for her.
A moment later the earth trembled, most of the civilians inside fell as they hadn't expected this and even the soldiers had trouble remaining standing. The trembling continued for nearly a minute before Jay saw something completely unexpected. In the distance, far in the south, he could see the earth splitting, even though it was extremely far away, at the edge of his vision even, he could feel the malicious energy coming from there.
At this point, everyone could feel a shiver coming up their backs. Even Jay and the unnamed princess weren't saved from the uncomfortable feeling. Out of the crack in the earth that was a multitude of kilometers long an endless horde of creatures emerged.
From his location Jay could only see a massive wave of darkness emerging, running at extremely fast speeds. Some of the soldiers on the southern side fell from the ramparts in shock. And he could see below them, the other army was also completely stunned.
Only a moment had passed before the earth shook again, wilder this time. Soldiers fell to the ground left and right, and panic emerged between the small Lords. Even though they hadn't seen the horde emerge, they felt the malicious energy just as much.
When the shaking stopped once more, another crack had appeared, to the west of them.
This one was only 50 kilometers away and similar to the other crack thousands upon thousands of creatures appeared. Even though they ran in all directions, this didn't really matter when there is a seemingly endless mass.
Jay estimated they would arrive at their location 3 hours from now, the first event happened in a way different manner then what he had expected!
Jay was shook at this time, as were his subordinates. They had expected the creatures to climb out of the ground, they never expected these massive cracks to occur.
If they knew they would've stayed in First City and bolstered their defenses but it was too late now. Once Jay realized what had happened he quickly started yelling out orders. There would no longer be multiple shifts, and the defenses would be focused on the western wall.
But even now he had no confidence at all, endless creatures were still pouring out of the cracks and an increasing area turned black due to the expanding mass of creatures.