I love this reveal because it seems to imply that a Viltramite mustache is some vital organ or part of their face. That pulling off their beards is some grant, Scooby-Doo moment. Even more so because you don’t realize he literally pulled his beard OUT of his face until Nolan demands he does it. Just seems like he pulled off a fake beard.
To keep a list of threats to the empire and himself, but to do it in a way that’s referenceable without making it known. Dude can’t even be sure how his own name is pronounced anymore, his memory is long and this is a way to keep things alive for future needs.
It just happened the need was against the empire, not for it.