Planning The Attack

As the 6 sisters acrobatically flew around, basically celebrating Vitaliana's birth and resolve, Eternia watched on with a tearful smile. This went on for a bit longer than expected. However, Eternia wasn't one to miss out on a chance like this. 

Eternia assumed her true form again. A bird of fire, a Phoenix. She was absolutely huge, larger than the standard city block. This was a Lesser Phoenix. But even still, to the untrained eye, it would be impossible to tell the difference. 

Eternia with her large size and flaming body, began to fly acrobatically, creating wind currents for her daughters to glide on. Creating a truly mesmerizing scene. All the while, the 7 birds were gaining skill points. 

"Vitaliana, how did your acquisition go?" Fernia asked, flying the closest to Vitaliana. 

"Yeah! We've all acquired the skills you mentioned before too. We could go now and..." Acialia added, flying on the other end.

"I acquired a lot of skills. But I'm still waiting on the other ones. I don't really need many more skill points. But I want to acquire Hyper Regeneration as well. I'm not going to let the city full of experience go to waste, sister!" Vitaliana, cheerfully chirped. 

"Uh, but that's an intrinsic skill... You'll naturally get it later..." Fulgiana chimed in, a little surprised. 

"Heh heh heh, oh my dear sisters, imagine this... They use their weapons and we act like they got us. Spiraling down to the ground. Heh heh heh, then they cheer with much glee and joy. Only to be beset by true despair upon seeing us recover and speed glide directly towards them." Vitaliana explained. 

"Mother, are you sure Vitaliana is the best name? Aieria asked, with a nervous chirp. 

"It's not my fault the humans can't appreciate their life. They've guaranteed their deaths by my hands at the very least." Eternia said with a giggly chirp. 

"Mother, sisters, I know it's hard but if we see anyone with the potential for magic..." Flariana spoke up, voicing the concern she had. 

"Don't worry, if they surrender, I won't kill them. Oh, Vitaliana, how is your sense? Can you tell if a human has magic?" Eternia asked. 

"Yes mommy, but, why do we need to do this? Why not just massacre them all?" Vitaliana asked.

"Oh, hmm, I can't tell you the details for now. But in simple terms, if they surrender and renounce their claim to defend humanity we are obligated to safely deliver them to one of the many settlements that dot our lands." Eternia said. 

"Oh, and Vitaliana, the city will no doubt have young within its walls. Those who can't speak are to be understood as surrendered. After all, their lives will be safe and happy inside the settlements. I even have a few friends in a few of them." Fulgiana explained. 

"We aren't butchers, and we don't even eat humans too often as it is. In fact the only times we eat humans are after killing them in battle. Our attack on the city is also not a common occurrence. Our clan is proud, and noble. We retaliate when the situation calls for it. But we won't ever start trouble." Acialia explained further. 

"Vitaliana, you know a lot about these human groups. So how many men does it take to hunt monsters and deploy one of those bomb thingies?" Aieria asked, curiously. 

Hmm, I guess they are worried about something. But I really don't know the answer. 

If I say the first thought that comes to mind, I know that's wrong because there isn't anyone else around. I have to first figure out how many humans mommy dearest killed before...

"72 Humans had come to give me a large gift. It looked like they were swapping out who was rolling the iron carriage but it wasn't a small number of people." Eternia said, as if feeling Vitaliana was asking for a number. 

Vitaliana stopped and began to hover... She was now certain of the answer. 

If that's the case... A standard unit is 100 soldiers, including the commanders. But, we killed those two right? No, how many did my sisters and I kill? It was 26 right? And if mother killed 72, then that leaves 2. 

No unit is ever deployed even if only a single member gets the snivels. Let alone being completely absent. 

2... 2 people were absent. Impossible. There are either still 2 alive somewhere or they fled using some other means. Unless... They started using that far seeing glass thing. With that item they could wait far away while keeping tabs. 

Considering they have already left. It's fair to say they think that the entire mission was a bit different than I had assumed. Damn now I'm hungry after all that flying and thinking. 

Anyway, those two men, whoever they were... sent their men to their deaths. We didn't kill a captain nor a vice-captain. Merely two people masquerading as them.

They could have watched from afar to see the bomb go off to see if it worked. Which means... They think that the Anti-Magic Bomb actually worked on mommy dearest. But it didn't, because she no longer uses mana, but Spiritual Force! Damn! That's a long way for most monsters but still the most powerful weapon doesn't work against even the lesser version of legendary spirits... 

Sisters might have survived because of that very reason. They do have some spiritual force as it is now. So that makes sense. 

I have to tell them the number, don't I... 

"Mommy, big sisters... It takes 100 men to make the smallest unit. And there is no way for their number to be any less at the time of deployment. So..." Vitaliana said, nervously.

"Oh? So then the city might have already been informed. If that's the case we will have to change our approach to this. Depending on the situation, it might be for the best if I stay hidden." Eternia said with a heavy chirping sigh. 

"How about this then, Vitaliana and I will go together to probe the humans." Fernia suggested, with a truly menacing chirp. 

"But, Vitaliana is too young. It's fine if we all go together. That way I can at least watch my baby sister perform." Flariana complained immediately. 

"Then what about this?..." Vitaliana said, going into a deep explanation about her plan.

"""Heh, HEH, HEH HEH HEH""" Eternia and her daughters laughed.