[What a straightforward one! But he only finds the blunt question amusing and laughs before dramatically putting a hand to his chest as if he's deeply offended.]

Goodness, what harsh assumptions of my profession you have!

[Cold reading is indeed most of what he does, but he's certainly not going to just up and admit that. After all, being brought to this place saved him from being tossed into prison so he has no intention of speaking up about anything that might arouse suspicions. Why not make the most of a fresh start, even if his financier and the cult are absent.]

I do neither. I simply advise people based on the alignments of the stars.