Instead of a "battle royal," in which many individuals are pitted against each other, Malvolio cannot even put up a fight because he doesn't know what's going on. Maria, Toby and Andrew are tricking him for fun/entertainment/SPORT. It is a sort of waged war, but Malvolio has no chance.
Shakespeare's affinity for puns could also come into play here. The "royalty" (Toby and Andrew... and Maria, the chambermaid) are battling the steward.
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