It was more of a neutral observation than flattery: Ukoku had revised his assessment from stupidity to overconfidence. "Loki" was probably so accustomed to getting what he wanted that he felt he could afford audacity, and where he had come from, it was almost certainly true.

'I'm not busy.' Ukoku stepped closer in anticipation of a teleport, briefly entertaining the idea of going to his own temple—but now he was curious, and that would be boring.