[The cackle subsides as quickly as it came, his voice returning to its usual airy lilt.]

I cannot so easily abandon my curiosity but I'll tell you what: Should your path seem the wiser I shall join you in destroying this infernal machine.

[By which he means if it seems like the world is shutting down and people are dying he'll do his best to make everything worse. Then, in his mind, permanently better.]

Until then, I must learn what I can.