10% that it's the simple truth.  90% that it's a Conspiracy salvage attempt.

Within the Conspiracy side, there's - possibilities that he shouldn't let them read his mind about.  (Will he see an opportunity for a real escape inside the fake escape.  Can he get Carissa and Ione with him when he goes.  Does Ione go to the Fire Afterlife / Hell if Keltham doesn't play along.  He won't do anything that reduces his chance at his primary escape plan.)

10% that it's the simple truth, and even that much is only because of tropes and how much he doesn't know about True Reality.  90% that it's a Conspiracy salvage attempt.

Within the Conspiracy side, there's - possibilities that he shouldn't let them read his mind about.  (Will he see an opportunity for a real escape inside the fake escape.  Can he get Carissa and Ione with him when he goes.  Does Ione go to the Fire Afterlife / Hell if Keltham doesn't play along.  He won't do anything that reduces his chance at his primary escape plan.)

10% that it's the simple truth, and even that much is only because of tropes and how much he doesn't know about True Reality.  90% that it's a Conspiracy salvage attempt.

Within the Conspiracy side, there's - possibilities that he shouldn't let them read his mind about.  (Will he see an opportunity for a real escape inside the fake escape.  Can he get Carissa and innocent!Ione with him when he goes.  Does innocent!Ione go to the Fire Afterlife / Hell if Keltham doesn't play along.  He won't do anything that reduces his chance at his primary escape plan.)