In the health center, the 'territory'' bought off all the medicine in the pharmacy, with the medicine factory continuously working to create more stocks. During the next day, all stocks would go straight to the health center.
In the meantime, Lily, the Pharmacy shopkeeper was set to practice her undergrad knowledge with Betty. She and Sheila would be her right-hand women, one of which would be assigned to the East gate.
Betty double-checked the medicines. There were various medicines, the most important of which were the hemostatic medicines, the 'Bandade', and 'Sprite', all of which were inventions of the Lord.
These were all amazing, and it could be said that one was equivalent to a life saved.
Betty couldn't help but gently rub the ceramic bottles, heart filled with emotions.
Of all the territories she had been to, she had never seen such an excellent woman. Let alone one that cared so much for the people underneath her.
Betty knew for sure that this territory would not fall.
In the Barracks, all the guards began to congregate, with a mix of emotions in their eyes.
Drake and Rowan formed two teams. The 'territory' set the distribution to 80% in the Southwest gate, which was estimated to attract most of the monsters, and the remaining at the East gate.
The other areas would have very sparse attacks and would be guarded by the dense sentries.
Helios walked to ask Rowan. "Will Ms. Althea be joining?"
"Which gate would she take? Will she still choose the East gate like last time?"
"Then, can we request to be assigned there? The last time we fought well together, and her style inspired my uncle… and I."
He changed his words when he realized his words were a bit ambiguous.
"Very well." Rowan said, "You must guard her well."
Rowan nodded and he and Drake stood in front. Rowan and Drake looked at each other, with the former nodding to the latter.
Drake cleared his throat and stood in front of the crowd.
"We are now about to face a formidable enemy. Do not underestimate them as they will be much stronger than what we have faced before.
"Some of us may be lost in this battle, but no one's sacrifice is in vain. Each of us has hundreds of lives on our backs, and we save hundreds when we bravely wield our swords toward our enemies.
"Know that in every slice and every attack we do, we are protecting our home. Never falter. Our home is right behind us.
"We will now distribute your weapons and equipment."
At this, everyone's back straightened, their eyes following excitedly as box after box arrived in front. They were as big as an adult man's arms, while some were longer. Counting the boxes they realized it was a box for each one!
"Line up!" Rowan called and they obediently did so.
Those who received went to the side to open the boxes immediately and they all brightened at the contents of each one.
Each one of them received three sets. Each set consisted of weapons and equipment like iron swords or spears, shields, and uniforms made by Lenny. They have been distributed to all guards. They also had several copies of all relevant medicines.
The cost of each set was definitely no joke, and they had three. Each.
The guards couldn't help but be touched by the territory's attempts to protect their lives.
Who wouldn't want to protect it with all they had?
Finally, there were the people just outside the gates. They were helping set up the spikes and other traps just delivered from the woodworking shop.
"The last beast tide was scary…" Sunny mumbled as she held the spike so Dog could hammer it down.
After all, they almost died in Vismont, almost helpless against such large hordes. It was a traumatizing experience.
"Look around you," Crow said, and the two of them followed. They looked around and watched the people doing the same territory task as they were.
Without exception, everyone was just working hard. No one looked scared, just serious about what they were doing.
"They also guarded their territory during the last beast tide but they don't seem afraid at all. They even look… excited."
Sunny mouth formed an 'o' in realization.
Satisfied that he fixed his companion's fears, he began to look around.
Bull was currently watching the spat between Troy and Fred in amusement. He was bringing food to his new girlfriend, Lulu, who was helping out with the logistics of installing the stakes outside the exterior fence.
"A level E? Still bragging about it after so many days?! I heard others got a level D equipment! Weak!"
"At least I got a gift pack! Unlike you—" he paused, sneering. "If I'm weak, what are you? Scum??"
Lulu rolled her eyes and just held her boyfriend's arm. When the boss was next to this best frenemy, they both turned into little boys.
Troy then proceeded to swing his special level E Machete (special effect of burst strength with a CD of 1 minute). With a swing, he easily cut a tree, showing off his newfound strength.
Fred sneered, and was about to make a snide comment about how only men with half-sized sticks needed to show off, but his eyes landed on a black wave far away.
His face paled and for a moment Troy almost thought he finally got to scare the guy with his prowess.
Troy smirked and puffed his chest proudly, but soon he realized that the guy was looking past him.
Then he watched as Fred's face turned paler and he whipped his head back to the direction of the territory. His pupils shrunk in fear and then he yelled from the top of his lungs, squeaking like a little boy.
"THE MOBS ARE HEEEEERE!!!!!"
The bell ran continuously, and everyone changed their tasks, ready to defend.
A low-magnitude earthquake shook the territory, resonating with the wild swinging of the bell.
Althea and the others were quick to run outside. She looked at the Lord map which could show enemy forces during wars and beast tides.
She flinched. Tens of thousands.
She frowned and ran to the southwest gate first to see the bulk of the forces, using her ability to check on the largest monsters.
This was even stronger than they feared…
And considering the number, this would definitely last longer than expected.
It was also very likely that this beast tide could overlap with the lifting of the protection period.
She couldn't help but rub her temple to ease the upcoming headache.
She may have… grossly miscalculated.