The statement could be misunderstood, but Khan instinctively got its specific meaning, and that didn't only have to do with his sharpness.
The method the God used to speak was more direct, immediate, and complete. Khan's brain translated it into words, but the God didn't utter any of those. He voiced meanings, which carried intrinsic explanations Khan didn't need to uncover.
The God hadn't spoken about his perfect sons. The defeated warrior he mentioned was the King in Aynor, who had been the only real blemish in the True Chaos' otherwise successful sudden invasion.
It seemed the King's defeat in Aynor had made the God reevaluate the mana's children. They were more useful than he had initially thought, albeit only as a challenge meant to test, solidify, and hopefully improve his power.
Receiving a proper God's acknowledgement was no small feat, but neither Khan nor the Emperor could take that as a compliment.
