Yes, the concept of dishonor here is more he is willing to do things that are normally very "cowardly" or "he takes the easy, quick way out". He does retain some type of honor for the people of his nation, although he does do very dishonorable things to accomplish his goals.

For the spirits, yes it would be a pact with the spirits, using them to bolster himself in exchange of a easier afterlife. You can say the spirits are always around him but they are never "present" around him until he summons them within him. They rest when not summoned. Eventually, Rilvaugh will gain the power to capture spirits and make a pact with them like the others. Both Rilvaugh and they spirits have to agree on the terms for it to work.