[ He blinks at the comment about lying to him, but he doesn't make any comment on it. ]

Well, if it is your fault, then I'll still take the burden of that fault for you. [ ... ] Besides, if we did get separated, and our connection was somehow severed as it seems to be now, then I wouldn't be able to manifest for long on my own.

[ Maybe he could saddle up with Sigma or some part of Rider's crew, but he'd be severely kneecapped by way of what he could do compared to being with her. And that's not the point he's trying to make anyway. ]

So, this is probably the best-case scenario. In my opinion, at least.