In the backstory, Vandole used power from the Mana Tree to create an unbeatable empire. Three Gemma Knights brought him down, using the Sword of Mana. In Sword of Mana, Vandole is mentioned as being slain by the Gemma Knights. It is rumored that Julius is his descendant. After Dark Lord's death, it is revealed that he is a survivor of the Vandole Empire. While it is not entirely clear, it is implied that he is either Vandole's successor or Vandole himself (as Cibba believes, suggesting that Julius's Shadow is the Vandole slain by the Gemma Knights years ago).