Chapter 80

"That's not what I'm saying here, Einar! Do you really think you can kill another human being!? It's not even a matter of who or what you're fighting against! Do you really want to cut a person's life short with that axe!?"

- Thorfinn

Gardar's Assault (ガルザル来襲, Garuzaru Raishū) is the 80th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Gardar, forgetting about his pursuers, asks Arnheid how Hjalti is. He offers her a hand and tells her all three of them can go home. Fox and Badger catch up; Snake tells them to restrain Arnheid, who's Gardar's main goal, then slices the throat of Gardar's horse to keep him from escaping. Einar raises his axe to go help Arnheid get to freedom, but Thorfinn stops him and asks him if he can really kill another human being. Despite Badger and Fox's warnings about Gardar's strength, Snake is intent on catching him alive. He quickly lands a blow to Gardar's side and knocks him down, then calls out to Badger to come tie him up.

Summary
Gardar tells Arnheid that she's even more beautiful than he remembered, despite looking a little worn out. He notes that if she's here, it must mean he's at Ketil's farm, and ponders about how she'd been a few days' walk away this whole time. Thorfinn and Einar are shocked that the escaped slave is Arnheid's husband. Gardar asks Arnheid how Hjalti is doing, noting he must have grown up. Arnheid looks sad and starts to tell Gardar about Hjalti, but he extends a hand and tells her all three of them can return home together. Snake comes out of Sverkel's house with his sword and yells at Arnheid not to take Gardar's hand, as she'll be forfeiting her life if she does. Fox and Badger catch up to the slave from behind. Snake quickly slits the throat of the Gardar's horse, causing him to fall to the ground, then yells at Fox and Badger to get Arnheid away from there as she calls out to Gardar. Fox points out the escaped slave is odd, as it looks like he forgot he was being chased for a moment. Snake asks if he really killed Lizard and Fox confirms that he cut his head off. Snake says that Gardar's objective is to get Arnheid, and that they must not let him do so. Gardar angrily asks if Snake is Ketil; Snake asks what will happen if he is. Gardar tells him he's dead and Arnheid yells at him that it's reckless and he should run away. Einar, determined, rises his axe. Thorfinn holds him back and tells him to stop; he asks if he really plans to fight off Snake without understanding the situation. Einar yells back that he understands Gardar is Arnheid's husband who's come to take her back. He tells Thorfinn that as slaves, they should understand, and asks him if he doesn't want Arnheid to get her freedom. Thorfinn replies that he does, but that it's not that simple since Einar would have to kill Snake, Fox and Badger for it to happen. Einar starts to say that he knows he's no match for them, but Thorfinn clarifies that he meant Einar would need to kill another human being and asks if he really wants to cut someone's life short with his axe. Einar asks what he's supposed to do. Snake tells Thorfinn he put it nicely and tells him and Einar to stay back and watch quietly, stating he'll capture Gardar alive as he won't let him die before he answers his questions. Gardar lashes out at Snake; Badger tells him to watch out since he's strong, and Snake asks him who he thinks he's talking to. He leaps out of the way as Gardar keeps going for him. Fox tells him he has to kill him, as he's not someone they can catch alive; they tried to do so and it got Lizard killed. Snake tells him he's just getting warmed up and to stop nagging him. He asks Snake if they managed to land a blow on Gardar and Fox admits that they didn't. Snake points out that Gardar is injured and chastises the other guests for losing to a single wounded man. Snake manages to land a blow on Gardar and knocks him down; he tells Badger to come tie him up. Arnheid, still restrained by Fox, asks Gardar if he's alright. Fox compliments Snake's quick work, excited the reward is as good as theirs. Thorfinn and Einar watch the situation unfold.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Gardar
 * Arnheid
 * Thorfinn
 * Einar
 * Snake
 * Fox
 * Badger