"I suppose that depends on whether you consider the end and remaking of the world to be 'literally' or not."

Yes, he's absolutely serious. No, he doesn't normally advertise this fact, but you know what? He's now been stuck here for longer than he honestly expected to live, so he's starting to lose some of his inhibitions against mentioning these things.

"But by all accounts, everyone is returned to the moment they left, anyway. So while you may miss those who aren't here, you needn't worry about something happening in your absence."