"I understand. You are, however, asking someone who fell victim to the illusions more than once." His voice is stiff, clearly not proud, but- not quite ashamed. Chagrined, if anything. "They were able to completely turn my thoughts around; the voice may as well have been my own, whispering poison."

As for the rest...he clears his throat, focusing on the other part of the question.

"Shortcomings aside, the lot of us were asked to protect the natives- evacuating them to safety as necessary, protecting and shielding them as well."