If you attack for control you must face pop+army, if you raid you only face army.
Aaaah, that may explain why the battle list shows now 8 vs 0, while originally it was 8 vs 500. We have left no army there. If it really is a raid and the Blondin's statement is true - it is going to be an extremely easy, although quite unprofitable raid
It is interesting though, cause as defenders we had no warning if it is a raid or regular attack. The battle type is "Siege". We will see. Did anyone try raid before?
EDIT: I can confirm - it was a raid.