He shakes his head. The apology is unnecessary, but perhaps it's simply out of politeness.

"Most seem to think we are here to provide energy to the City. That it somehow ... feeds on us."

A little uncertain, more because of the wording than anything else. But that's basically what it comes down to in that case, isn't it? It feeds on their emotions - sins, perhaps - maybe souls, even? It's all very strange and he still isn't discounting that there's some First Civilization artifact involved in this.