I've not been methodical enough to note the various XP I'm afraid - just tried different options and picked the highest number... As I remember the jester sends only 2 waves but any remaining vanish when you kill the real one.
I don't know if fighting Dallis is *required* to get to level 8 before last fight but I've not done it without. I'll try that next time.
At the moment I'm playing on easy (to see if you still do it). It is a bit of a slog though - takes me 30 or 40 hours as I'm very slow.
