The Rolan Mercenary Team indeed came just in time.
Mercenaries could be hired to help with the war, counting as external forces. There weren't too many of them so they should still be within the cap allowed to assist. Even if it wasn't, they could use the loophole and get them to camp outside the territory instead.
Alterra was too far to help and while the weapons were ample, they would naturally want as many forces as they could get, especially since they weren't familiar with the attacking territory!
The war was coming and they had received a lot of letter instructions from Alterra. First, they asked if they needed help. While more force was available, there was no way a decent force could come to them in less than a day.
Instead, they supported them with items, which was much more convenient because this place was a satellite.