Chapter 72

"This is not for the sake of the utopia you dreamed of. There is ravenous ambition within your heart. To become the ruler of the North Sea. This is the curse. The curse of the crown. There is no escape. You will wear both the crowns of Denmark and England... and your suffering shall be twice mine."

- King Sweyn

The Curse of the Head (呪いの首) is the 72nd chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
After King Sweyn's death in 1014, his territories were split between his oldest and youngest sons: Denmark went to Harald, and England to Canute. Harald assisted Canute in conquering England, but became very sick shortly after Canute was crowned in 1018. Canute visits him in Jelling; Harald's condition has quickly worsened and his caretakers think he only has days left to live. He joins their sister Estrid at Harald's bedside. Harald tells Canute he'd been waiting for him, and having no heir, declares he is leaving him Denmark. Canute hallucinates King Sweyn's severed head for the second time that day — the apparition mocks him for offering false platitudes to the very man he himself has poisoned, and tells him his ambition to become the rule of the North Sea is the curse of the crown. In his chambers, Canute continues to hallucinate King Sweyn's head and tells him it's funny that the man he once hated and wished dead is now the only one he can speak to freely.

Summary
After King Sweyn's death in 1014, his territories were split between his two sons: Denmark went to Harald, the eldest, and England went to Canute, the youngest. The two were on good terms, and Harald even assisted Canute by sending him a large fleet to help him conquer England. However, after Canute claimed the throne of England in 1018, Harald became sick, with no heir in line to succeed him. In 1018, at King Harald's Base in Jelling (Jutland Peninsula, Denmark), Gunnar tells Canute he should wait inside the cabin instead of standing outside. Canute continues to watch children play and replies that he wants to stay there and feel the breeze, as he has not been home in years. Wulf greets him and tells him he is happy he has returned from England safely. Canute asks how his brother, King Harald, is doing — Wulf admits that he is not in good health, and that his sickness has progressed so much that he is no longer able to hold conversations. Canute acknowledges that this means Harald's time is limited, and that from what the caretakers have been saying, he likely only has a few days left. Canute thanks Wulf for his presence at his brother's sickbed. Canute remarks that Harald used to be quite skilled at the game the children he is observing are currently playing, and that he would at times play with him. While courtiers would choose sides when matters of succession arose, Harald never let competition change his feelings. Similarly, he was often of great help to Canute during his subjugation of England, and Canute admits he owes him thanks. One of the children misses the ball, which bounces towards Canute. Wide-eyed, Canute briefly sees the ball as King Sweyn's severed head. Wulf tells the child to find somewhere else to play; noticing Canute's face, he asks him if anything is wrong, but Canute denies it. Heading to his brother's bedside, Canute is casually greeted by his younger sister Estrid; he chides her and reminds her to address him as "Your Majesty". Estrid tells Harald that Canute has come to see him, but Canute tells her not to force Harald to wake, as he'll be in Jelling for a while and can speak to him once he's in better shape. Harald wakes and weakly utters Canute's name, raising his hand to hold Canute's. Canute tells him there's no need to worry about the kingdom. As Estrid cries, Harald tells Canute that he's been waiting for him, and that he's leaving him Denmark. Canute tells him not to speak as though his death is certain, as Harald's health will recover and they will once again be able to play as they did as children. Canute sees Harald's head transform into King Sweyn's, who tells him he's grown and has learned to convincingly lie through his teeth. He tells him it's a farce that he's offering deathbed platitudes to the very man he's poisoned, and asks what he'll gain from it. Noticing Canute's expression, Estrid asks him what's wrong and if he's feeling unwell. King Sweyn tells Canute that Harald was always nice to him and asks him why he killed him when they could have worked together to improve Canute's control over the world. He tells him Harald's death is not for the sake of the utopia Canute dreamed of, but rather for his heart's ambition to become the ruler of the North Sea. He tells him that it's the curse of the crown, from which there's no escape; in fact, he claims that since Canute has two crowns, he'll suffer twice as much as he did. Canute is brought back to reality by Estrid, who tells him he was staring off into space and worriedly asks him if he's sick too. Canute claims he just had a dizzy spell, and Wulf asks that a chamber be prepared for the fatigued king. In his chamber, Canute holds the crown and examines it. A servant knocks to offer Canute drinks on Estrid's instructions, and Canute asks where the drink is from. When the servant has no answer, Canute declines the drink and says he is not thirsty. King Sweyn's severed head, now staring at Canute from the floor, tells him that he fears poison because he is a poisoner himself. Canute tells him it was mischievous of him to appear in daylight, as it almost caused him to speak to King Sweyn out loud. King Sweyn laughs and tells him that seeing him during the day means the curse is nearly at its peak. The servant who brought the drinks, listening at the door, wonders if Canute is talking to himself; Canute tells her he has no need of her and she doesn't need to stand there, and she runs away. Canute tells King Sweyn that his paradise requires a united land, but that King Harald had to die since two kings could only lead to strife. King Sweyn replies that if he thinks his noble ends justify the means, then he's truly learned to think like a king. Canute starts to laugh and King Sweyn asks him why he's laughing. Canute admits that it's because he once hated King Sweyn and wished him dead, and that now King Sweyn is the only man to whom he can speak freely. He puts on the crown and tells him they should be friends, as they are both bearers of the curse. King Sweyn's head fades out of sight, and Canute thinks to himself that this is it; nothing to it.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Canute
 * Gunnar
 * Wulf
 * Sweyn
 * Harald
 * Estrid