Episode 46

"The King of Rebellion" (叛逆の帝王) is the forty-sixth overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the twenty-second episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
Thorfinn was promised that he would be allowed to reunite with Canute if he could withstand 100 blows from the king guard's fist "Bear Slayer Drott". Olmar and Snake, who came to announce the surrender, find out about the situation and try to stop them, but Thorfinn stubbornly resists, leaving the surroundings speechless.

Summary
Thorfinn starts to take the 100 blows from Drott. After 20 hits, the men start to feel disappointed in Drott as some have already lost the bet. Drott himself feels something is not right, as when he punches, he barely feels any resistance. Wulf is also observing and realizes that Thorfinn is used of getting hit, and he is moving his neck an hips just before Drott hits him to disperse the impact of the punch. However, Wulf still doubt Thorfinn will be able to withstand the 100 blows, since Drott is strong man. Einar recalls Thorfinn words that violence should be the last resort and wonders if this is the "first method", that he will live by enduring being hit.

Snake and Olmar arrive to surrender. Seeing Thorfinn fighting, Snake tries to stop the fight, stating that Thorfinn has nothing to do with the farm. That distracts Thorfinn, who fails to dodge in time and ends up getting the full hit of Drott's punch, which sends him flying few meters back. With the 32nd hit, Drott finally feels he landed a solid hit. As Thorfinn falls on the ground, Einar, Snake and Olmar go to check him. Snake wonders why are they still in the farm, and Einar explains that they promised that if Thorfinn endure 100 hits, they will let him meet the king. Snake is surprised that he is doing this for the farm and tells him to give up as they decided to surrender, and if talking could have resolved this, they would have done it already. Thorfinn attempts to stand up, wondering if they truly gave their all to try and resolve it through conversation. Thorfinn stands up, stating that once they drew their swords, Ketil's farm answered with their swords without thinking. The men are surprised to see Thorfinn standing. Thorfinn then mocks Drott that his punches are weak and they to continue faster, since he is busy and has people waiting for him. Snake wants them to stop, but Einar stops Snake.

They continue with the punches with the men watching in silence. Reaching the 100th hit, Drott is exhausted and barely able to punch. Drott falls on his knees and facing the standing Thorfinn, he apologizes for doubting him and states that he is a true warrior. Drott then turns towards Wulf, stating that Thorfinn was once a guard of the king and asks him to permit Thorfinn an audience with the king. Wulf approaches Thorfinn and states that he is well trained and wonders why he didn't fight back, since if he beat Drott, he would have proved that he is a former guard. Thorfinn finds the question ridiculous, since he can't hit someone when he came to negotiate for peace. He just met all of them and knows nothing of them, so there is no reason for him to hate them. Canute and Ketil are the ones feuding and they could have resolved this in a game of hnefatafl, without spilling any blood. They all are not Thorfinn's enemies, as he doesn't have any enemies. Wulf finds Thorfinn to be quite bold to reject war while surrounded by that many soldiers. He finds his game suggestion funny, but tells him that he should propose it to Canute himself. Wulf states that Canute doesn't go to war because he wants and once he meets him and speaks with him, he will understand. Wulf then tells his men to make a way as he is allowing Thorfinn to meet up with the king. Thorfinn calls Einar to come, since he may also have something to say to the king.

Thorfinn and Einar pass by some dead men from Ketil's army. Thorfinn tells Einar to not look at them, because if he spots Pater, he won't be able to remain calm. After learning of the situation, Canute agrees to meet with Thorfinn to respect the feelings of Wulf and his men. Canute greets Thorfinn, guessing that he hates him for making him a slave, but then corrects himself that he must hate him for what happened to Askeladd. Thorfinn appreciates the consideration that Canute showed back then, since he drew his sword against royalty, and apologizes for leaving a scar on his face. Wulf is surprised to learn that Thorfinn left that scar. He then realizes he is Thorfinn Karlsefni, the man who have been an even match for Thorkell in combat.

Thorfinn tells Canute that he wants him to leave the farm, but Canute states he can't since Ketil started this dispute. Thorfinn heard about it, but Canute made his point and more than 100 men are dead, and the farm may not be able to recover with that many dead workers. Canute blames Ketil for not surrendering and miscalculating his chances, but the battle won't end until Ketil's clan has been dealt with. Einar then states that he basically is saying the battle won't end until he captures the farm and calls Canute a thief. If he wanted a farm, he should have started one himself, and then he would have known what a terrible thing is to take it from someone else. Thorfinn recalls that Canute wanted to build a paradise and wonders if he still believes it. Canute states that he is the king of the vikings, ruler of a large territory and commander of ten thousand men. His power exceeds human understanding and makes the impossible possible. He then extends his hand towards the sea, stating to observe him on how he will stop the waves, and then commands the wave to stop. Everyone is looking at the waves, but nothing happens. Canute then states that he is powerless and can't stop the waves, but the one who can is God. To build a paradise on earth means to defy his logic, an act of rebellion against God. Humanity cannot find happiness under God's rule. Canute then states that they are vikings, and are responsible for this chaos and destruction. He wonders if they should also live in paradise. However, that is what a human is as humans also commit sins. Unless Canute is able to save all those abandoned by God, he will never be able to build a paradise. Canute wants to save the vikings and he is the only one who can conquer them, rule them, unify them and direct them towards a paradise. He intends to unify all the strength of all humankind to fight God.

Thorfinn finds Canute to be incredible man, as he never occurred to Thorfinn to try and save the vikings. Einar gets angry and tells Canute that he is free to pursue his huge goals, but wonders who is going to save all the people he killed today for his goals. He questions him if he will let the vikings live because they can help him, while stealing and killing from people who aren't useful to him. King Ethelred burned Einar's village, King Sweyn killed Einar's family. Einar doesn't care about their ideals and had enough, and refuses to suffer any more because of Canute. Canute is fine with Einar hating him and won't be asking for his forgiveness. Thorfinn asks again if Canute will leave, but Canute explains that he needs Ketil's wealth for his undertaking. Canute then wonders what will Thorfinn do and if he will kill him, because unless he kills him, he won't stop him. Canute's soldiers then surround Thorfinn and Einar.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Drott
 * Thorfinn
 * Wulf
 * Einar
 * Snake
 * Olmar
 * Canute