It is quite funny that En coming back gives him a different vibe from the earlier part of the series. Where he was seen more as an unlikable antagonist, and while he is still an asshole, he cares for the family. He recognizes that they gave up everything to bring him back, and you can tell he genuinely cares for them. Sadly for him, Ebisu was the one with him, and things got worse between Dokuga gaining his memories back and Ebisu getting captured while having Juda’s Ear. At least Shin came back to his senses.
Getting the store knife was necessary to escape, but even then whoever is controlling this area is too much for Nikaidou to do alone. It is odd that Caiman’s persona switched to Aikawa. Perhaps in a way this area is a representation of the transition of Caiman/Aikawa throughout the series. No surprise the area makes up Aikawa’s memories. But what is the actual danger?
No doubt it is the thing that takes over for Aikawa when he kills and consumes sorcerers. There is a connection to Ai, but what is it exactly? It seems that very likely something with Ai combined with the lake that the department store is under. But what exactly is it?
Meanwhile, we learn from Chidaruma how humans, much like in the real world, were weak compared to them, but they found their own way. Of course the sorcerers that he created ended up killing them. Very much the constant fighting between the two sides, where the sorcerers are on top since they are a lesser version of devils. Essentially the killed humans became a pit of death in which they are in. Basically, death is what consumes Aikawa when he loses control. Though there is more they are hiding.
The series never shies away from comedy so that it isn’t only despair. A literal whack on the head is what got the implants in Noi’s head to work to allow her to come back. Well, things look doubtful, but Noi is the most important sorceress for En, so her coming back is a huge plus.