The Thirteen's Dinner Arc is the 22nd Story Arc of the Welcome to Demon School! Iruma-kun manga series.
The arc centers around Iruma and two other young demon students, Leiji and Razberry, being invited to the Thirteen's Dinner in order for the demon world's leaders to get a good look at 3 potential young candidates for the next Demon King. Baal objects to the idea, but then decides to go along with it when it turns out that he and the other 13 Crown members can nominate their own Demon King candidates as well. Amongst the 3 highest ranked demons, Sullivan picked Iruma, Lady Levi picked Leiji, and Belial picked Razberry. After getting through their interviews, the 3 candidates are given food, which the way said candidates eat is the test that brings out their true personas before the demon leaders. After seeing Iruma just happily eating everything in sight, even Baal admits that such a greedy person one day potentially being the Demon King gives him chills.
The arc consists of chapters 200 to 203.
Thirteen's Dinner Arc Summary
Chapter 200: A Gathering of Heroes
At the 665th level of Babel Tower, most of the 13 Crowns are seen gathering for the important banquet that's going to involve Iruma. Second-in-command Belzebuth first introduces to the rest of the Crowns their special guest, Bachiko, who's currently sitting at the table with them. Bachiko quickly gets into a petty verbal argument with Paimon given their history, but they're calmed down once Amaryllis gets hold of them. Belzebuth gets back to the main topic that due to one of their Crown members, Behemolt, having gone missing similar to the recent disappearances of other high-rank demons, they must replace the vacant Crown pillar to keep the netherworld from falling to chaos. Thus, Bachiko's been chosen as the new candidate for the 13 Crowns. Baal states his rejection claiming that she's just a brat, but the Crowns are greeted by the arrival of the Three Greats, Sullivan, Levi, and Belial, who reveal that it was their decision that Bachiko has proven herself skilled enough to become one of the 13 Crowns.Sullivan then gets to the main purpose of this meeting announcing to the Crowns that he, Levi and Belial have all come to an agreement that it's finally time to choose the next Demon King, much to their shock. Belzebuth is relieved to hear that they've finally come to a decision and asks who they've chosen. However, Sullivan explains that it's not going to be them as the current netherworld is unstable to a point that they need to focus on the future of the demon world. Thus, they will need a young demon who can open a path to the future, which Sullivan announces that he, Levi, and Belial will nominate 3 candidates to become the next Demon King. The Crowns are left shocked by the announcement as Levi and Belial get to nominating their respective dear grandsons who are both smart and brimming with talent: Leiji Levi and Razberry Bellial-Berry.
At that same time just beyond the Babel Tower's entrance gate, Leiji is seen meeting Razberry. As Razberry tries to greet the former, Leiji shows himself off as the more stoic and arrogant of the two that keeps himself to following the rules while Razberry is the more excited cuckoolander of the two who just does what he wants. Along with their clashing personas, they both claim that they're going to become Demon King, which sparks a rivalry. Suddenly, a knock is heard at the door. Wondering if it's just a waiter, Razberry claims that they should ask said person who should be Demon King. Returning to the meeting with the 13 Crowns, Sullivan announces that just like Levi and Belial, he too has his own recommendation; a person who is both unpredictable and fascinating to the point that he expects great things from him regarding the netherworld that he would create. He's of course referring to Iruma, who turns out to be the boy knocking at the entrance gate. As Iruma enters, Razberry orders him to act as the judge to determine who between him and Leiji comes off more Demon King-like.
Chapter 201: The Three Greats' Grandsons' Meeting
On the 333rd level of Babel Tower, the grandsons of the Three Greats hold a meeting to determine who between Leiji and Razberry is better suited to be Demon King. Leiji and Razberry sit opposite one another while Iruma sits off to the side as the judge. Leiji is the first to speak explaining that he's a student of Lady Levi's Levialon Academy; an underwater school that prioritizes nurturing disciplined and well-mannered students. Leiji ended up making a name for himself during the opening ceremony where he arrived two hours late, which he made it clear during his opening speech that he goes by his own rules, such as sleep being far more important than interacting with students he's unfamiliar with. Leiji continued his school year showing off his self-prescribed discipline and arrogant attitude towards his students, and accomplished many school activities to the point of eventually becoming the Supreme Commander that many Levialon students follow behind. In the present, Leiji claims to Razberry and Iruma that just like Levialon where he answers to no one but himself, he will decorate the netherworld with his own set of rules.Taking his turn, Razberry gets to explaining that he's a student of Belial's western Jackapo Institute; an underground 66-story tower that's situated on a blazing magma river. The school consists of a competition where all kinds of fighting, gambling, quizzes, and debates occur between students on each floor, and that while freshmen start on Floor 1, they can rise up to higher floors if they win said competitions. In addition, it's Floors 60 to 66 that are ruled by the "ringleaders;" the top students that Belial gives special privilege to. During his entrance ceremony, Razberry entered the ringleaders' floors, and made the announcement that he's going to wreck everyone, and take Floors 60 to 66 for himself. This of course pisses off the ringleaders into attacking him, but Razberry just runs off having fun while continuing to drop on them countless misdeeds, outrages and mischiefs. In the present, Razberry has currently worked up to having successfully taken control of Floors 60 to 62, and as the gangster ringleader of 1200 demon underlings, he's currently working to take the school's remaining 4 Floors.
With their introductions out of the way, Leiji and Razberry turn to Iruma for judging, but become confused once Iruma starts to describe the odd things that he accomplished at Babyls. Leiji questions why Iruma joined in, which the latter answers that he figured it was because it was his turn. Before their conversation could continue, Opera enters the room questioning why Iruma chose to enter Babel Tower before the appropriate time. Iruma answers that he was curious due to hearing the argument between Leiji and Razberry, which both of them remain confused as to what's going on. Opera reveals to them that as the grandson of the Sullivan household, Iruma was also invited to the Thirteen's Dinner, much to their surprise that Iruma's a 3rd Demon King candidate. In return, Iruma properly introduces himself to Leiji and Razberry. At that same time during the meeting with the 13 Crowns, Baal steps before Sullivan, and announces his rejection to the idea of the Greats' three grandsons being the Demon King candidates. In return, Sullivan stares him down in a rare serious manner.
Chapter 202: The Demon King Candidates
Hearing the rejection, Amaymon remains annoyed that Baal is talking back to one of the 3 Greats, but Baal assures him that he has good reason. That there's going to be demons who refuse to roll along and call a brat their new boss when they're clearly going to be ranked lower than them. However, Belial orders Baal to calm down as it should be obvious that they wouldn't be making them go along with such unreasonable demands. Sullivan agrees with Belial, and states that what they should truly be focusing on is "potential." He further explains that the 13 Crowns have all proven themselves to be excellent demons, but because they're constantly competing with one another, none will truly stand out over the other to receive the title of Demon King. Thus, the plan is to find a Demon King like no other. Someone like Delkira who had the power to both unify and guide them. Sullivan states that what they've decided is to use their experience as the Greats and Crowns of the netherworld to raise the next Demon King together instead of choosing someone amongst their ranks. That they'll use "education" to bring hope for the future. Belial and Levi also agree that it's time to spice things up.The 13 Crowns all start to show interest in the idea, which Baal admits that he's interested in this special education plan. Baal announces his desire to also nominate a Demon King candidate, which shocks everyone, but Sullivan quickly accepts the idea; shocking everyone even further. Sullivan explains that all promising candidates are more than welcome, and that all the Crowns should introduce a candidate if they have one in mind. The 13 Crowns all go about discussing the potential candidates amongst their underlings, which Amaryllis gets excited at the thought of her son, Alice, as the Demon King while Henri is left stunned in shock at the thought of his daughter, Ameri, as the Demon King. Baal claims that he has a couple demons in mind for Demon King, and states that he can't wait to make them complete, which Sullivan agrees. Believing that it's time to get to the main event, the 3 Demon King candidates are called in for their interview, which Iruma, Leiji, and Razberry all kneel before the Greats and Crowns. Feeling the pressure being put on them from the 13 Crowns, the three candidates all get to introducing themselves to show their gratitude for being granted audience.
Before the 13 Crowns, Leiji introduces himself as a Rank 6 (Vav) second-year student of Levialon. Meanwhile, Razberry and Iruma introduce themselves to the 13 Crowns as Rank 5 (He) first-year students from Jackapo Institute and Babyls respectively. Belzebuth gets to the main point of the meeting by asking them just one question, which is what kind of netherworld they wish to create once they've become the Demon King. Leiji is the first to answer claiming that he will make rules that every demon will have to follow; a kingdom of freedom guaranteed by law. Razberry is the next to speak claiming that he will make a fun world that even morons can understand; a kingdom where the strong stand at the top, and the weak eat the dirt. Once it's Iruma's turn to speak, everyone remains focused for what he has to say.
Chapter 203: Food for the Young
Regarding the question as to what kind of netherworld he desires to make, Iruma answers that he thinks it's fine the way it is, which surprises the 13 Crowns. Belzebuth asks Iruma if this means that he's fine with the netherworld's current instability. Iruma asks back if the netherworld's unstable, which Henri catches on that the boy's unaware of current affairs. Iruma apologizes for not knowing, but he then provides an actual answer that because he doesn't know much about what's happening outside of school, he would want to create a netherworld that's just like Babyls. Overall, Belzebuth thanks the 3 Demon Candidates for their ideas, and hopes that they continue to compete with one another to strengthen their convictions, which Iruma, Leiji and Razberry accept. With the interview over, Belzebuth figures that it's time to finally enjoy the Thirteen Dinner. Large trays of food are all summoned to the table, which Iruma, Leiji and Razberry all join in to eat with the 3 Greats and 13 Crowns.After dinner, Iruma, Leiji and Razberry are all set to depart back home with their respective Greats. Leiji apologizes for not realizing that Iruma was a Demon King candidate earlier, but he also points to Iruma and Razberry stating that since it's clear that they will be seeing each other a lot more in the future, he will not lose to them. Razberry points back accepting the challenge while Iruma joins in, which confuses them as to why they're suddenly all touching fingers. After departing Babel Tower, Iruma sits opposite Sullivan in their horse carriage as it drives home. Thinking about what just transpired, Iruma asks if Sullivan's trying to make him Demon King. In return, Sullivan explains that the Demon King is someone who holds the highest and heaviest position within the netherworld, which he's decided to help his grandson by providing him a path to potentially become it. He adds that the Thirteen Dinner interview was just one of the preparation steps needed for this path, but he also assures Iruma that he doesn't have to go down the path of becoming Demon King. Iruma accepts Sullivan providing him such a path, but also mentions that he couldn't help feeling out-of-place.
Back at Babel Tower, the 13 Crowns all remain excited and invested in discussing the 3 Greats' Demon Candidates. Particularly, the way they ate during dinner. Amaymon mentions how he liked how Leiji ate like a savage despite his sophisticated look, and didn't care due to only following his own rules. Meanwhile, Henri notes how the seemingly cuckoolander Razberry was more of a clean eater, and picked out the food he didn't like. Belzebuth states that this was a given as the whole point of the Thirteen Dinner meal was to reveal a demon's true colors when they're eating, such as displaying their inner greed. Baal notes that the best display of said greed ended up being Iruma, who they witnessed eat so much that piles of empty plates stacked up around him to the point of Iruma actually asking for seconds. The laughing 13 Crowns all discuss how it came off like Iruma has bottomless greed, which is an idea that even gives Baal the chills at the thought of such a person becoming the Demon King. An image of an older Iruma as the Demon King is seen eating his current meal while surrounded by stacks of empty food plates.
