[ Divide and conquer, is it? He thinks it's fairly likely that there are simply enemies posted at the top of the stairs of each side. Naturally, going up them would get their attention, though he doesn't think it necessarily a strategy that would buy the other team much time due to varying factors. ]

That depends. The enemy can have the ability to assault equally on both fronts, giving that he has consolidated his power more upstairs than downstairs now.

As in, once he notices movement on two fronts, that will end up stalling even a divide and conquer plan. We've also already split up once before though I do not feel inclined to do so in this case.

[ Not to mention, he turns towards Urianger: ]

...In addition, while the curse can be dealt with, there is entirely the possibility of encountering another specter positioned right at the top of the stairs. If our enemy is intelligent, and consolidating his power further, the chances of that are high, alongside the considerable stronger magic being funneled into such creatures. Which would make reaching a lens or mirror to disable such an enemy difficult.

In the end choosing the dumbwaiter for us all may evade these problems entirely. What do you think?

[ Jing Yuan then addresses Cid: ]

As for how many, that depends on our imagination and capability when it comes to transformation magic.