Are you so certain you will ever receive an explanation at all, without me?

[ Bold words, but his demeanor doesn't quite match them. He swallows after looking back towards Ardyn, his resolve quite visibly caving in on itself. He draws more in on himself, his voice lowering. ]

This raid is a ruse. A distraction, from the other half of the trade. They desire the heart of the dead dragon, but if we had only attacked that caravan, your forces would overwhelm us. I do not want the skull of this — this madman, but I have no other choice than to draw you away.