The Three Ancient Weapons!

Back on the day of Jason's public execution, Lirisk had shown Vik considerable respect. Ron hadn't understood why at the time. Only after hearing their brief exchange and making a few inquiries afterward had he learned that Vik was different.

Though Vik was Imu's butler, he treated every Celestial Dragon with care. Even the Nibelungen family, whose lineage was considered improper, received the same treatment.

Among the Celestial Dragons, who placed such importance on bloodline and birth, that was almost unthinkable!

Donquixote Homing was proof enough. The Celestial Dragons' rule was that there were no rules: they followed every whim and did whatever they pleased. Anyone who disagreed was branded an outsider.

The Nibelungen family was the most famous of those outsiders. Among the Celestial Dragons, the exalted "descendants of gods," they alone practiced a Spartan style of family upbringing.

But now it seemed Lirisk's respect had gone beyond Vik's character. He probably knew Vik's true identity too.

What shocked Ron was that Nibelungen Ferric, one of the Five Elders Ron had brought down, had a younger brother.

Why had he never heard of him?

Given Ron's current position, there was little reason to hide anything from him apart from the history of the Void Century and the government's secrets.

Unless...

Imu had ordered it!

Perhaps the order wasn't aimed at Ron specifically. Perhaps Imu had demanded that everyone forget Vik's true identity.

Vik seemed to read Ron's thoughts. Once he confirmed that the agreement was in effect, he sighed. "A great deal happened back then. Lord Imu erased my existence, just as he did with the prisoners on Impel Down's Level Six. Almost no one in the younger generation knows me. It's only natural that you find it strange."

Ron fell silent, then nodded. "Forgive me. I didn't mean