Episode 45

"Courage" (勇気) is the forty-fifth overall episode of the Vinland Saga anime and the twenty-first episode of Season 2, produced by MAPPA.

Synopsis
The farm, who suffered a large amount of casualties, received a second Canute surrender alert with the condition that the Ketil clan surrendered. On the other hand, Ketil's wife and Thorgil did not give up and wanted the war to continue. Resist or surrender, the decision was entrusted to his successor, Olmar, instead of Ketil, who was unconscious.

Summary
Canute's men gather the dead men from Ketil's army. Seeing how many men they lost, Wulf guesses that Ketil's men won't have the will to fight and states he will send a messenger asking them to surrender. Floki asks Canute if his men can take some village houses, since they are tired sleeping in tents. Canute however, denies it, stating that if they enter the farm, they will start pillaging. Floki notes that's the victor's right, but Canute explains that the goal was to requisition the farm, not pillage it, and will reward the Jomsvikings with a different reward. Sweyn wonders if Canute is showing mercy, but notes its the correct thing to do as a king. Sweyn states the the world is still hell and not the paradise he wants, so he must keep killing until he reaches paradise.

Olmar returns to Ketil's stronghold, shocked to see all the injured and dying men. One young woman calls Olmar, telling him that her father lost his both arms. The father then asks Olmar to look after his family. Olmar gets scared. As he backs off, he bumps into someone and see its the man he killed, however he then realizes its just his imagination and throws up. The young woman then comes to check Olmar, wondering if he is injured or hurt, however Olmar just ends up crying.

Snake reports to Ketil's family that Canute is asking them again to surrender, with Ketil's family still being subjected to outlawry. Ketil's wife refuses to surrender and leave their land, and blames all this on Snake for being a coward and freeloader. Thorgil wonders what will Snake do if they decide to continue fighting and Snake states he will fight alongside them. Thorgil smiles, saying that he wanted to hear that, and tells his mother that he will handle the situation. He is sure he can defeat Canute with just 20 men, and fighting a larger force is also a glorious way to go out. Sverkel tells Thorgil to calm down as this isn't his decision to make. Thorgil states it has to be his, since Ketil is unconscious and wonders if Sverkel wants to make the decision. Sverkel states its not his either, and that the decision should be made by the successor Ketil himself named.

They call Olmar, who is Ketil's successor and Olmar states they will surrender. His mother wonders if he isn't embarrassed for being a North man and Olmar confirms, but he is scared for his life and the other people's life and just wants this to all end. Thorgil is annoyed, reminding Olmar that he wanted to fight and that he is also the one who started this war. Olmar confirms it and apologizes, stating that since he started it, he will also end it. Thorgil tells him that the king either way wanted the land, but Olmar states that he still gave him the excuse to start a war. Thorgil states that he either way would have found an excuse and what Olmar did was to defend his honor, which is a good thing and he should show that courage again. Olmar yells stating that he didn't had courage. He screwed up in front of the king and deserved to be mocked, however he didn't had the courage to accept them mocking him. Olmar isn't like Thorgil and doesn't care about Norse men. He intends to surrender and Thorgil is free to mock him if he wish. As the current head of the family made his decision, Sverkel tells Olmar to go and tell Canute. Snake decides to go with Olmar and tells him that he won't mock him. Annoyed, Thorgil leaves by himself. After everyone leaves, Sverkel tells Ketil that he didn't lose the farm for nothing, as in exchange for it, his son Olmar, became a man.

Einar learns that Thorfinn went to see Canute. He questions Leif on why he let him go, after he has been searching for him for so long. Leif explains that he will still keep his oath, but Thorfinn is being moved by something bigger right now, and he also promised to come back. Einar then runs towards Canute's camp, looking for Thorfinn.

Thorfinn reaches Canute's camp and introduces himself, stating that he is a retainer from Ketil's farm and came representing Ketil and speak with Canute. Drott is sure that Thorfinn isn't a retainer, but a slave, since he smells and states they will keep on fighting until someone from Ketil's clan shows up. Thorfinn reveals that he met Canute before and asks them to tell him his name. Drott doubts it and Thorfinn explains that four years ago he served as his guard for a while. Drott then punches Thorfinn, stating he never saw a guard who is that stinky and small. Thorfinn apologizes if he insulted Drott, but insists its true and asks him to notify the king. The other men then mock Drott that Thorfinn is still talking after his punch, which means Drott's punch is too weak, which makes Drott angry.

Canute hears some commotion and wonders what is going on. Wulf explains that a messenger came, however as Ketil himself didn't show up, his men are currently trying to send away the messenger, however he is a bit stubborn. Canute wonders if he got his name and status. Wulf then confirms and states that his name is Thorfinn, son of Thors. Canute is surprised and asks if Thorfinn is young and small. Wulf is surprised that Canute guessed right and confirms it, wondering if Canute knows him. Wulf wonders if Canute will see him, but Canute states it won't be necessary.

Meanwhile, Drott keeps on attacking Thorfinn, however Thorfinn dodges all of his attacks. The rest of the men get impatient, and one tells Drott to hurry up since they made some bets. Hearing that, Thorfinn gets distracted and Drott punches him. Einar then comes and wants them to leave, since there is no point in talking to them. Thorfinn asks the men on what they were betting and a man explains it was on how many punches he will take before runs away or dies, which the most popular choice being under 10. Thorfinn then states he wishes to bet on himself. If he wins, instead of money, he wants to talk to Canute. One of the men likes the bet, but states they won't let him bet on something like fewer than 10 hits. He asks on what no one has bet and another man explains the max bet was up to the 90s punches. The man then states that if Thorfinn withstands 100 blows, he wins, however if he loses, he will die. Thorfinn agrees, but Einar believes he is risking too much for Ketil. Thorfinn explains that he is glad that he ended up on this farm. He met some people who were kind to him and didn't forsake him, and wishes to return the kindness he received. Thorfinn tells Einar that all will be fine and that there is a trick in getting hit, and Thorfinn is also used on getting hit. Thorfinn then heads to face Drott, while the men mock Drott that Thorfinn doesn't take his serious and his size is only for show. Drott gets angry, stating that he never has been mocked like this before and intends to kill Thorfinn.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Canute
 * Wulf
 * Floki
 * Sweyn (imagination)
 * Einar
 * Arnheid (flashback)
 * Olmar
 * Snake
 * Fox
 * Thorgil
 * Sverkel
 * Ketil
 * Drott