Meanwhile...

The group from the monster team are looking around for any farmers.

Azul says, "Scan complete. There are no farmers in this area. Let's take a moment to collect ourselves and do some planning." then turns to Jack, "First off—Jack. Must you have such complete and utter disregard for my orders?We lost Ruggie because YOU so carelessly set Floyd off. In fact, we nearly lost you as well!

Jack growls in anger, "Grrr... I told you at the start that I don't take orders from you. If you don't like it, we can split back up again!

But then Rook says, "Allow me to hazard a guess. Roi de l'Effort and Monsieur Fier-a-bras, you were in numerous engagements before you met up with us, I trust?"

"Yes, and all of them petty skirmishes hardly worth the effort," Azul says.

And then Trey says, "Hey, at least there's a bright side. You got out of an encounter with Floyd and Vil's whole band without getting eliminated. It got us useful enemy intel, too. It's not the worst outcome."

"Very true. What matters for the monster team is not simply capturing farmers. Our victory is secured by defending the harp. We've been doing a fine enough job of that, wouldn't you say?" Rook says.

"You know... You're right," Azul says, "A considerable amount of time has elapsed since the start of the game. By now, there should be farmers attempting to take the harp from the coliseum. Our focus should be herding the coliseum-bound farmers onto pre-planned paths and systematically dispatching them. THAT is how the monster team gets the job done."

"Ah, the same basic principle as tower defense games," Trey says.

"Oui. The other essential element is how well one can evade surprise attacks like our previous engagement," Rook says.

"Y'know, now that you mention it, it feels like Vil's been one step ahead of me all day," Jack says.

"We shouldn't assume that's a coincidence. It's safer to say that our course of action has been predicted in advance," Azul says.

Jack questions, "Seriously?"

"I agree with Azul," Rook says, "While a beast may not have exhaustive knowledge of a hunter in normal circumstances, both sides have equal intel here. Knowledge of who is where, and what equipment they hold, enables one to predict their future course of action.

Then Trey says, "That's all the more reason we can't afford to linger in one place for too long. I think we'd better cut this chat short and figure out what we're doing next. So, what's the plan? Do we take our group back to the coliseum and tighten defenses there?"

"I'm gonna stay on the field and keep up the hunt. It's not my style to hang back and stay defensive," Jack says.

"Normally, this would be where I roll my eyes at your insistence on offense, but this time I actually agree," Azul responds, "There's someone I want out of the picture before we turn our focus to defending the harp."

"Let me guess—Monsieur Prémédité. You want Jade eliminated, yes?" Rook questions.

"Precisely. Jack and I have covered quite a bit of ground across campus, but we haven't spotted Jade once to far. I strongly doubt he'd simply wait out the whole game. He's got to be up to something," Azul says.

Rook says, "Très bien! What manner of attack will he launch upon us? Oh, the anticipation!"

And Trey says, "Careful, now. We might be the ones eliminated if we're not again, Jade doesn't seem like the kind of guy who would dive into a group of enemies and go on a whole tear like Floyd did..."

"Oh, he would," Azul says, "It would just be a different kind of "tear." He and Floyd are two twisted peas in a pod—each in their own uniquely dark way. Floyd is actually the easier of the two to deal with on many levels, since his nature is far more obvious than Jade's. Jade, on the other hand... He's a particular brand of devious. If you see him, do not provoke him. Do not make eye contact. Just back away slowly."

You're talking about your own vice housewarden like he's some kind of wild animal," Trey says.

"Speaking of our respective dorm associates... Trey, I note that we also have yet to see your boon companion, Monsieur Magicam," Rook says.

Trey thinks for a bit, "Hmmm... Cater's upbeat and friendly, but he doesn't exactly get heavily invested in events. It's hard to predict what approach he'd take."

"Actually, mentioning Cater reminds me of something. When I grabbed Deuce, he told Riddle that Cater's group was headed for the botanical garden," Jack says.

Trey thinks for a bit, "Hm. I can give Deuce props for protecting his housewarden, but not so much for spilling the beans right in front of the enemy."

"We should assume that Vil will heed that tip and head for the botanical garden," Azul says.

"In that case, let us follow in their footsteps and exact our revenge upon them!" Rook says.

But Azul says, "Slow down. I say we split into two groups. The monster team doesn't benefit all that much from acting as a large herd. Not to mention... Riddle was there when Deuce blurted that info out in front of us. He can put two and two together."

"True. They could be planning to exploit that lead if we try to follow up on it," Trey says.

"Exactly. Plus, I want to do some digging anyway. I'm heading for the school store," Azul says. Then turns to Jack, "Jack, if you could please come with me?

"All right," Jack says.

"Then I believe that leaves the two of us to pay the botanical garden a visit, Chevalier des Roses," Rook says.

"Right. Good luck out there, guys," Trey says.

"You two stay safe as well," Azul says.

He then turns to Jack, "By the way Jack, with all that running, I've realized that we're missing three of our group. Tanzanite, Jasper, and Trinket."

"I guess I lost them after Ruggie was eliminated," Jack says.

Suddenly, they hear rustling from the bushes and out comes Jasper, Trinket, and Tanzanite.

"There you guys are. We've been looking for you," Tanzanite says.

"Sheesh Jack, you could have waited for us. We can't run fast enough to catch up to you," Jasper says.

"Sorry about that. We had some trouble with the Farmers, especially with Floyd," Azul says.

"Floyd? Oh boy," Jasper says annoyed.

"Well, now that we found you, we better start with preparations," Azul says.