[There is a very still pause, though the tone of their voice stays in its narrow range of apparently disaffected stoicism.]

I thought you might realize that I haven't had a kind word for you this entire conversation. Sorry, to be clear, I don't care about you. I don't want your trust, however practical.

My intentions are to dismantle this cult, and stopping this ritual is only part of that. A means to a larger end. You should think of me the same way.