Chapter XVI. The End of the Harvest Festival


With a direct attack defending his dearest friends, Asmodeus has been declared disqualified for the only violation the Harvest Festival holds- to not directly engage in combat with other contestants. That of course is inevitable, but otherwise noble of him as Coco was about to utilize Trauma again, which may also cause him to be disqualified. Just as he was being that close to being crowned this year's Young King, he all threw that effort away but it wasn't for nothing no matter what Coco tried to criticize Asmodeus with. Angered, Lavande struck her shield at the front of his injured face with what appeared to be a great look down on his actions for the past few days.

"That is quite enough, Sir Orobas!" She scolded with a voice lowered by an octave, "How disgraceful, wanting to compete fairly all to let the Sin of Envy consume a heart longing for admiration after all the words and whispers carried by winds and tongues. Condemning all that perceives most noble, it is the venom of His Ancestral Majesty that has come to possess that once pure soul of yours whilst all of us inhabit the ends of Hell itself. Sir Asmodeus surely had never made it here all for naught."

"Lady Félin is utmost correct, as I have no regrets whatsoever." Concurred Asmodeus, "I only have one ambition... and that is to become Master Iruma and Master Acheron's halberd! So will Lady Félin be of the same guardianship to the Prinzessin der Babyls and the Stern der Hoffnung themselves! I care not if I have forfeit. If you dare try to lay a finger on either one of them or any member of the Misfit Class ever again, then I issue this warning. I will immediately track you down immediately from the forfeiters' tent and lop of your useless arrogant head. Why don't you remember that?"

The two aristocrats left Coco in shambles with their words just before Shichiro told Asmodeus to head to the forfeiters' tent.

Before he could leave under the lead of a Demonitor, Clara and Iruma held the hem of his white coat. It seemed clear that those little ones didn't want Asmodeus to leave the competition, knowing what he did was to protect them. But it's like he said himself having no regrets in what he did as he did what he was supposed to do as Iruma's halberd. Given that Asmodeus was already a Daleth-ranked demon (4/ד), there was no need for him to remain in the festival as he lifted Iruma's spirits by saying the only one's wearing the Young King's crown were him, his sister, Isabelle and Acheron. This made the other feel reassured, even while Lavande remained in the rest of the day. Clara was simply happy that they were back together after being away from each other since the beginning of the festival. Everyone in this circle of friends equally worked hard to make it this far, and thankfully Iruma's leg injury has healed at this stage. He looked over at his hooded and unidentified sister, his housemate, and the firearms expert with a smile, they tried to feel the same way about being reunited with her beloved friends but Ryūko somehow looked sort of pale beneath the mask.

All was fun reuniting until the Demonitor had to remind Asmodeus to head to the forfeiters' tent. But that didn't stop him from inviting the group for a celebration party at his place once the festival ends and that was indeed a promise. Unfortunately, it looked as though someone's unable to join in.

"Asmodeus, as much as I appreciate it, I'm afraid... I must decline the invitation." Said the hooded contestant. Asmodeus looked at her with confusion, wondering if he had seen her before until he spotted the red and blue eyes under her hood's dark shadow.

"Oh, Miss Ryūko, is that you?" He asked, "If you're unable to be of any arrival, please do take your time away from the Harvest Festival. I will not pry into any reasons you may hide away."

"That much is well appreciated, and allow me to compensate you someday, my friend." Replied Ryūko.

Clara was also confused, but decided to take a peak to be sure of Ryūko's identity.

"Eh? That's really you, Ryūko-kins?" She peeped, "Are you sure about not coming to the party? What happened to being back together?"

This caused an unusual reaction to occur as Ryūko pulled herself away, much to everyone's attention that something went wrong for her too deeply.

"When I said I won't attend, I mean what I said!" She yelled from the top of her lung, almost as if she was at gunpoint, "Is it that hard for anyone to understand?!"

Realizing her mistake, Clara backed away to give Ryūko some breathing space while Lavande handed over a small basket of calming herbs for her personal use. The former apologized for getting too curious, but something might have stopped Ryūko from noticing that her green-haired gremlin friend was simply excited and happy to see her after so long. Was it the illusion replaying into her mind, or could there be something worse behind the mask as she played the role of Prinzessin? Whatever it is, she found it best to never speak of anything related to it.

"I... I truly... do apologize... for the outburst..." Said Ryūko with disappointment and remorse laced around her delicate voice, "But... really I'm not at the best place in my mind... to mingle with you all, even if I wanted to."

"Sis... Don't force yourself to go anywhere if you feel unwell." Said Iruma.

"Whatever bothers you, please do look after yourself, Miss Ryūko." Supported Asmodeus.

"We wish you the best regards to what matters you need attendance to." Isabelle chimed in, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'll give you this doll for comfort." Handed Clara over a cute doll of a familiar face.

"Those calming herbs would do you wonders, M'lady." Guided Lavande, "May the blessings of diabotany's monarchs bring serenity back to your heart."

"Remember this, Ryūko. We are all here for you, in person and in spirit," Acheron finished in reassurance.

The whole group threw themselves in for a cuddle bundle surrounding the broken soul, who seemed at ease but only for a while. After a while, Asmodeus had to make his way to his destination after the fourth final day of the Harvest Festival.

Once he left, Lied, Naphula and Keroli's bodyguards emerged from nearby shrubs in tears moved by Asmodeus and Lavande's performance. He simply couldn't interrupt such an heart-wrenching moment and was additionally glad to see that Clara was alright. The Blizzard Wolf and Snow King Fox nodded their heads before leaving the group as Acheron, Iruma, Isabelle, and Naphula thanked them with regards to Keroli. Lied was giving Ryūko some warm head pats, noticing she seemed rather off her right mind at that moment. They then were about to retrieve the Vases of Endings that Coco stole from them, but he was gone from where he laid down.


While they weren't looking, it seemed that Ocho dragged Coco away from the incident. He reassured the taller demon that he'd win the competition after they turned the Vases to headquarters. Since Coco was at a state where he would be unable to move as proficiently, Ocho seemed prepared with some rare items he quietly gathered for him, all of which are comparable with boss-class ingredients. Despite the fact that he got them, Ocho had no intention of winning the Harvest Festival as long as he could be of support to Coco alone. But wait, was he feigning tears as he expressed such?


Back with Iruma and the rest were deducting down what should they do to retrieve the Vases in order for the Legendary Leaf and Shining Shrub to grow. Iruma asked Lied if he could use Controller to identify where had Coco gone off to, but he was out of mana for that to be done. Acheron even added that it would take them hours to find it, even when he transforms into a bat to cover more ground. It all seemed hopeless at that point, but not even the Suzuki twins nor the young hunters were willing to give up at any costs. After all, they faced many encounters with demons helping them to get to where they stood at that very moment while entrusting them with their hopes, hence why surrendering to defeat was no longer an option, not even on the final day itself. Suddenly, Professor Marbas appeared from the bushes, being told by the students that they had no intention to forfeit, but that wasn't why he was there. He seemed frustrated with something and with someone else, a plan was devised.

How so? Logically, those who keep holding on to the thought of having the advantage are easier to deceive because their confidence fuels their arrogance through and through every one of their affairs. So when someone was tricked, the best way forward is to trick them back. Therefore, victory would go to the most cunning demons of that round itself. Load and behold, Marbas was actually Schneider Allocer! He and Jazz M. Ando may have forfeited, but that wouldn't stop them from having a solid way through the needles to aid their friends in need during the festival. But how was that even possible, given Jazz was disqualified and Schneider intentionally quitted the match? Well, time to head back to some time ago again.


It was the second day when this duo had to walk to the forfeiters' tent.

"Sorry about that, Allocer." Apologized and agitated Jazz, "I lost my cool back there and ended up having to forfeit."

"No, this is fine." Said Schneider, "In fact, it's better. We'll be able to enter the forfeiters' tent..."

They walked on in and found other retired competitors having food and wishing for a revenge match. As Schneider scanned the room, he told Jazz that they'd get a better idea of what occurs in the forest from surveillance available and there was never a rule saying people who haven't forfeited cannot enter the tent itself. While it is true students can team up, the Harvest Festival was an individual sport by the end of the days. Jazz was the only one in this pair that forfeited and Allocer was still in the game. This was an opportune moment to take advantage of the system having only one rule. After a meal, the two got some intel from some people around the tent and came up with a plan, all to get back at Coco for everything he has done to the Misfits.

By the third day, Schneider went off into the forest with a controlled surveillance camera modelled after himself. From this device, Jazz will be able to see where would the Vase of Endings be located and what could Coco be doing at a particular time. He was able to communicate with Schneider via handheld transceivers and identified the exact same trick Coco uses on him to put his brother around the nerves. The wearer of multiple rings also told his lion friend that the illusionist planned to submit the stolen artifact to the reporting tower. By disguising himself as Marbas, Schneider would trick Coco into submitting the Vases of Endings as the latter was unaware that the latter let his guard down momentarily. There's nothing in the world that turns off arrogance more than any given moment it does so when in front of their own enemies, even in disguise. After that, Jazz told "Marbas" that he and his acquaintances figured out Coco's next target would be the Seed of Beginnings that their friends in need already obtained. Even going as far as to tell Asmodeus and Lavande about that going around.


Back to where we left off at the present, Schneider returned the Vases of Endings to Iruma and Lead, Isabelle, and Acheron, shocking the former two. Besides, there wasn't really any point for Schneider to go looking for more things or keeping it if the festival was almost over, even more so it could only be victory if he was with still Jazz in this competition.

"Faith will move mountains." He said, "We leave the victory of the Misfit Class in your hands."

Ryūko could faintly smirk behind her face mask, happy to hear that people still have faith in those who fell from their grace beforehand up till now.

"Well orchestrated, my intellectual friend." She said clapping her hands, "I sincerely applaud you and Andro, Allocer. Though in shadows and loss, you still rise without letting the defeat of a comrade overthrow the wisdom of deceit you were well-refined of to great standards. Please, sent your partner my grateful regards. Your Prinzessin is most pleased with a marvelous performance. And peace be in your hearts, lay your trustworthy faint into the hands of this final day's true victors. It will be this only retinue that prevails and shall serve our army only the best in this long conquest. Mark my word, Harvest Festival, no single illusions will break the steadfast will of all who break the walls of thy triumph to suppress all who stand here and now!"

"I will keep your humble words and bring them back to him, Your Highness." Nodded Schneider as the others behind Ryūko nodded in agreement.

Such an outstanding oath secured with a dazzling trick against Coco's arrogance was enough to send Jazz nearly crying and Ameri admiring what passion and long growth the Misfit Class displayed for the entirety of the festival. Surely, it would be no surprise to see any of them becoming crowned the year's Young King.


Not forgetting about Sabro, the Dorodoro Brothers and Lavande, they all brought over quite the haul in their friendly competitions. While helping each other out on more hunts, Ichiro asked Sabro and Lavande if it was alright to let Asmodeus go disqualified. Sabro, looking as if he hadn't slept for the whole festival, commented how Asmodeus merely rushed toward his ambition had nothing for him to thwart against, even with him left alone afterwards. Lavande concurred with the addition of being a guard herself. The tower of demons fell apart as Sabro finally knocked out after endless nights without rest, his and Lavande's final point counts at 45,500. The Androalphus brothers separately gained an identical 37,100 points.


The almost never-ending war between the Magical Beasts Kingdom and Allied Castle was put to a stop. Keroli was made aware that the given offerings her subjects brought and being unable to take down her foe were inadequate for a secure victory. The beasts were ready to offer themselves as sacrifices for their queen's path to winning and to thank her for treating them as her brethren. She agreed with them, but simply was unable to do such a thing because no matter how bright she shone, there would be no point in securing victory if her loyal citizens/fans were not there with her. With such kind and loving heart, she and her people secured 36,800 points. Her attendant, Camui, was left with 22,500 points while her ally Elizabetta held 20,700 points.

Other Misfit Class Members' Final Point Count

Schneider Allocer - 12,800 points

Kaminari Levina - 27,297 points

Yanna Siegfried - 27,297 points

Ryūko Suzuki - 77,000 points


~Interval~

On his way to the forfeiters' tent, Asmodeus was sobbing over the fact that he managed to reunite with his best friends, even up to the point his guiding Demonitor was concerned about his emotional state. He wanted to go back to them so badly. The Demonitor noted that Asmodeus pulled off a cool performance when he left the events. That was when he thought of an excuse to get back there, stating that he wanted to be Iruma's halberd, but there was no way that turned out well because there was no going back. Not even suggesting the ideas of shrinking to pocket-size, disguising as a magical beast or concealing himself in flames were going to work against this vigilant living camera.

Back with Yanna, she found a bunch of ingredients laying around behind a still, exhausted Kaminari. She calculated all of it as 23,958 points, wondering how did they end up there in front of her. Then, she spotted a small note on a fruit, written with the message:

This sum I stole from a place was fair enough a harvest to refill Kaminari's diminished stocks. Please do keep in mind you both need to split them amongst yourselves. Good luck, my friends.

Signed - Your hooded savior and her raven.

Her reptilian eyes lit up, the Gorgon remembered the raven from moments before disaster that saved her life away from an explosion. All left Yanna to wonder, where did it came from and who was their master.