[DreadBringer]

When trying to make Lachesis laugh, it's ironic that the two most socially withdrawn characters in the cast, Rinne and Sabi, made the most attempts.

Gigist now has a proper introduction. He is someone whom Houtaro was split off from, knows more about Chemies, and explains that they become Malgams because they're creatures of pure malice, where Houtaro brainwashed them to become the 'pure' creatures he always insisted they are.

So it seems that Houtaro is just a human Chemy, which is a theory many people have about why Houtaro can communicate with them. IMO it's a bit disappointing that it's not about Houtaro's kindness and compassion for other living beings, even though he is kind. It's just because he is a similar species.

Other than the obviously bigger threat like Gigist beating up regular Riders like Valvarad, the stakes here are that Houtaro's worldview is really shaken. Gigist turned Chemies into Malgam on their own, and there's no way to stop them other than to kill them, taking away Houtaro's friends.