It should have helped. He should be feeling some kind of relief (or not) with Seel leaving, but instead it was only making it worse. What was Seel going to do now that Swift wouldn't have his eyes on him? Who was he going to talk to? How much did Swift have to worry.

Instead of vocalizing any of that, he nodded silently, trying not to panic and was only partly successful. He had to keep breathing. Maybe it would be better.