Chapter 98

"I will run away as far as this world will allow me. As long as there is a place I can run away to, I will not fight. At a place, untouched by your authority, I will create a peaceful state using different means. A place for those who cannot live in the world you're building. For the sake of both myself, and you."

- Thorfinn

Two Paradises (ふたつの楽土) is the 98th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
As King Sweyn's apparition tells Canute to kill Thorfinn, Thorfinn states that if Canute will not change his mind about the farm, he will run away. Canute is confused, but Thorfinn says he has no right to criticize Canute's means and that his endeavour to talk to him was futile. Canute bursts out laughing and points out Thorfinn's half-baked negotiating was foolish. Canute asks Thorfinn where he plans to run to — Thorfinn states he will go to a place untouched by Canute's authority to create a peaceful land through different means for those who cannot live in the world Canute is building. Canute understands that Thorfinn means to fill the holes left behind by his undertaking. Thorfinn points out that he does not have Canute's power or authority and that he will not be able to accomplish his task if Canute leaves holes that are too big, as he did at Ketil's farm. Canute withdraws from Ketil's farm and abandons his plan to confiscate farms, not wishing to increase Thorfinn's share of the work. He's delighted he found two more comrades who pursue the same goal, though through a different path.

Summary
Canute asks Thorfinn if he thinks he has the power to stop him, as Askeladd once did. One of the soldiers tells Thorfinn to withdraw. He says he's an odd man, but that he does not hate him and that it would be a shame to kill him. Einar tells Thorfinn that this is the way the world works — that in the end, the strongest push their will onto others and that talking things out is futile. King Sweyn's head tells Canute that he is foolish and still unaccustomed to the crown; he asks if he revealed his intentions to them to rekindle an old friendship or in hopes they'd understand his ambitions. Sweyn tells him that companions are not in the cards, as Canute is the herder and others are mere sheep he must raise, prune, sell and skin. He reminds Canute that as the sovereign, his rule is in the end for the benefit of sheep. Thorfinn starts to tell Canute what he will do if he is he is set on achieving his goals through the force of authority. King Sweyn's head tells Canute that he has to kill Thorfinn, as he's a dangerous man and a sheep that doesn't follow its herder is not needed. He warns him a single unruly sheep can agitate the others and cause the entire flock to fall off a cliff, and that he must kill him before it happens. Thorfinn states that if Canute's mind is made up, he will run away. Canute, Einar, WUlf and the soldiers are shocked by Thorfinn's statement. Canute asks him if he'll really only just run away. Thorfinn asks what else he could do and if Canute would rather have him fight him there and then. He says Canute's authority can save many and oppress others at the same time, and that he does not have the right to criticize his means. Thus, his only choice is to run away to a place where Canute's authority cannot reach him. Canute points out that as an exceptional warrior, he must have a few other options. Thorfinn tells Einar to come with him to see if the Ketil family will accompany them on their journey. Canute asks if Thorfinn really came and allowed himself to be beaten to a bloody pulp simply to admonish him. Thorfinn admits that it was a futile endeavour and wishes Canute farewell. Canute bursts out laughing. He tells Thorfinn that many people tried to negotiate with him by trying to ensnare him into traps or outright kill him, but that Thorfinn is a fool to have come to him with no bargaining chips or weapons, allowing himself to be beaten up simply to ask him not to take the farm. Canute keeps laughing and Thorfinn asks him if it's really that amusing. Canute replies that it is and that it's the most half-baked negotiation he's ever had to deal with. He smiles and thinks to himself that Thorfinn is a gallant man, and ponders how such a person could have been born among Vikings. Canute asks him where it is that he plans to run to in order to avoid conflict, as his territories are expanding and might one day reach Thorfinn's destination. Thorfinn replies that he will run away as far as the world will allow and that he will not fight as long as he has a place to run away to. He states he'll create a peaceful land using different means in a place untouched by Canute's authority, for all those who cannot live in the world Canute is building. Canute asks him if that means he will fill in the holes left behind by his undertaking and asks him if he's really capable of such a thing. Thorfinn tells him it's all the more reason for Canute to work harder — as he has none of Canute's power or authority, he cannot complete his task if the holes Canute leaves are too big. He points out that if Canute continues to harm countless people as he did at Ketil's farm, neither he nor anyone else will be able to help him. He asks Canute to work diligently so that he doesn't increase his work too much. Canute starts to laugh again. He comments that it's interesting and that this is the most difficult negotiation he's had to deal with.

When Thorgil, fully armed and armoured, reaches the shore, he's shocked to see that all of King Canute's ships have gone. Certain that he must've put his ships on standby in the ocean while bringing the fight to the village, he rushes back. At sea, Canute stands at the helm of his ship. Wulf tells him that Floki was disgruntled by the outcome and confused by Canute's order to withdraw from the farm. Canute asks if Wulf is dissatisfied as well; Wulf replies that he is not. Canute notes that it seems they are back to square one despite all of their plans to confiscate several farms, as he doesn't want to increase Thorfinn's share of the work too much if he can help it. Wulf comments that it was the first time he's seen Canute so amused. Canute sees Thorfinn and Einar on a nearby cliff and tells Wulf that until now, he had never seen anyone but Wulf as his comrade, but that today, he found two others who pursue the same goal as him from a different path. He notes that it's delightful.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Canute
 * Wulf
 * Sweyn (vision)
 * Thorgil