Volume 14

Volume 14 is the fourteenth volume in the series. It marks the end of the Slave Arc and the beginning of the Eastern Expedition Arc.

This volume makes up the second half of Volume 7 in the English-language release of the manga.

Chapters

 * Chapter 94: Recommendation of Surrender
 * Chapter 95: Forgotten Things
 * Chapter 96: Invincible
 * Chapter 97: Emperor of Rebellion
 * Chapter 98: Two Paradises
 * Chapter 99: Departure
 * Chapter 100: Homecoming

Cover Characters

 * Thorfinn

Plot Overview
Canute sends another messenger to ask for Ketil's surrender. Thorgil wants to keep fighting, but with Ketil incapacitated, the decision rests with the farm's designated successor, Olmar. Despite being ashamed, Olmar is scared and wishes to surrender to end the fight he started. Thorfinn decides to attempt peaceful negotiations with Canute himself. Canute's guards refuse to let him through, as only a member of Ketil's family can surrender or negotiate and they do not believe he was once temporarily one of Canute’s bodyguards. As Thorfinn stubbornly refuses to leave, Drott decides to do things the hard way, but is unable to land hits on him. Canute learns from Wulf that the messenger who wants to see him is Thorfinn, son of Thors, but he declines to meet with him. Thorfinn finds out that the crowd placed bets on how many hits he could take before turning tail, dying or getting knocked out: he asks if he can bet on himself, with meeting the king as his prize if he wins. The soldier agrees he can meet the king if he can last 100 hits. When Thorfinn reaches 100 hits and remains standing, Drott apologizes for doubting him and calls him a true warrior. Wulf asks him why he didn't beat Drott to prove he was a former royal bodyguard instead; Thorfinn replies no good would have come of a peace negotiator talking through his fists. He states no one here is his enemy and that he has no enemies at all. Wulf agrees to let him go speak to the king. Thorfinn asks that Canute withdraw his claims to Ketil's farm, but Canute says he cannot. Einar calls him out for setting things up as a reason to steal and states he is no different from a Viking chief. Thorfinn asks Canute if he still means to create a paradise on Earth. Canute says that Vikings have no right to paradise and that his only hope to save the people abandoned by God is to gather power, combine the strength of humans and fight against God. Canute asks if Thorfinn intends to kill him now, as it's his only hope of stopping him. Thorfinn replies that if Canute will not change his mind about the farm, he will run away. Canute bursts out laughing and 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.

Thorfinn and Einar say goodbye to Snake, Sverkel, Olmar and Pater. Olmar thanks Thorfinn and says he wants to become a man like him someday. After the events of Ketil's farm, Canute stops his plan to confiscate wealth and instead disbands most of his Danish troops, reducing the tax burden on the English and gradually leading them to accept him as their legitimate ruler. Ketil recovers from his wounds, but loses his will to work and retires. As the farm's new master, Olmar sells off half of Ketil farm's lands and some of the family's personal holdings to generously compensate those who were injured or lost family during the battle. The guests do farmwork to earn their meals and Sverkel, on Snake's request endeavours to teach him the work of a farmer. Thorgil leaves the farm, but does not return to Canute's service. On the knarr, Leif tells Thorfinn and Einar that he will help them in their difficult endeavour to build a country in Vinland, but that first, they will return to Iceland to see Thorfinn's mother Helga and sister Ylva. In December 1018, Thorfinn arrives in Iceland with Leif, Einar and Bug-Eyes, having not been home since the age of six. Thorfinn meets with Ylva first, who does not recognize him. She believes Leif made up the story of running into a grown-up Thorfinn in York some years prior to cheer her and her mother up. Thorfinn goes to see Helga next, who immediately recognizes him. She remarks he has the same eyes as Thors and Thorfinn tearfully apologizes to her. Thorfinn plays with his nephews and his niece until their father, Ari, arrives home and reunites with Thorfinn. Ylva comes home and is angry to see the "imposter" again, but Helga tells her it is really her brother. Thorfinn reaches for a hug, but Ylva punches him and angrily yells at him for not coming home when he was alive all this time.

Plot Summary
Canute's men finish gathering the bodies from the fight at Ketil’s farm: their opponent lost 122 men, while they lost 8. Canute sends another messenger to ask for Ketil's surrender. Snake passes along the message to surrender to Ketil's family; Thorgil wants to keep fighting with their 20 remaining men, but Sverkel points out that with Ketil incapacitated, the decision rests with the farm's designated successor, Olmar. Despite being ashamed, Olmar is scared and wishes to surrender to end the fight he started. Unable to convince him to keep fighting, Thorgil leaves. As Leif's crew is ready to leave, Thorfinn says there's one more thing he has to do. Thorfinn reveals that he's acquainted with King Canute and thinks he could achieve something if he attempts peaceful negotiations with him. Canute's guards refuse to let him through, as only a member of Ketil's family can surrender or negotiate, and refuse to believe that Thorfinn was once temporarily Canute's bodyguard. As Thorfinn stubbornly refuses to leave, Drott decides to do things the hard way, but is unable to land hits on him. The situation draws a crowd; Wulf goes to see what's happening and reports to Canute. Although he learns the messenger who wants to see him is Thorfinn, son of Thors, Canute declines to meet with him. Meanwhile, the crowd laments they'll never see who won the bet if the fight drags on: they bet on how many hits Thorfinn could take before turning tail, dying or getting knocked out, with most betting under 20 or 10 hits. Thorfinn asks if he can bet on himself, with meeting the king as his prize if he wins. As the highest bet is 90 blows, the soldier agrees he can meet the king if he can last 100 hits, but that his life is forfeit if he loses. Einar is worried, but Thorfinn reassures him that he's used to taking hits and that there's a trick to it.

Thorfinn successfully takes Drott's first 31 hits. From the crowd, Wulf notices that he's subtly turning his hips and neck to take away the force of the punches right before they land. Olmar arrives with Snake to give the Ketil family's surrender; Thorfinn takes the full brunt of one of Drott's hits when he's distracted by Snake trying to break up the fight. Snake chides Thorfinn for his decision, but Thorfinn insists no one truly tried to talk peacefully, instead deciding to fight when the other side drew their swords first. He gets up to take the remaining hits. When he reaches 100 and remains standing, Drott apologizes for doubting Thorfinn and calls him a true warrior. Wulf asks him why he didn't beat Drott to prove he was a former royal bodyguard instead; Thorfinn replies no good would have come of a peace negotiator talking through his fists. He asks why so many had to spill blood for a disagreement between Ketil and King Canute and states no one here is his enemy and that he has no enemies at all. Wulf commends his mettle and agrees to let him go speak to the king; Thorfinn asks Einar to come with him. Thorfinn asks that Canute withdraw his claims to Ketil's farm, but Canute says he cannot: Ketil's son Olmar instigated the affair and he will not stop until Ketil's family surrenders. Einar calls him out for setting things up as a reason to steal and states he is no different from a Viking chief. Thorfinn asks Canute if he still means to create a paradise on Earth. Canute says that Vikings have no right to paradise and that his only hope to save the people abandoned by God is to gather power, combine the strength of humans and fight against God. Einar asks who will save all of the useless people Canute will kill on his way to accomplish his goals. When Canute confirms he has no intention of giving up on the farm, he asks if Thorfinn intends to kill him now, as it's his only hope of stopping him. As King Sweyn's apparition tells Canute to kill Thorfinn, Thorfinn says that if Canute will not change his mind about the farm, he will run away. 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.

Thorfinn and Einar say goodbye to Snake, Sverkel, Olmar and Pater. Olmar thanks Thorfinn and says he wants to become a man like him someday. As they leave on Leif's knarr, Snake tells them his real name is Roald, son of Grim. After the events of Ketil's farm, Canute stops his plan to confiscate wealth and instead disbands most of his Danish troops, reducing the tax burden on the English and gradually leading them to accept him as their legitimate ruler. Ketil recovers from his wounds, but loses his will to work and retires. As the farm's new master, Olmar sells off half of Ketil farm's lands and some of the family's personal holdings to generously compensate those who were injured or lost family during the battle. The guests do farmwork to earn their meals and Sverkel, on Snake's request endeavours to teach him the work of a farmer. Thorgil leaves the farm, but does not return to Canute's service. On the knarr, Leif tells Thorfinn and Einar that he will help them in their difficult endeavour to build a country in Vinland, but that first, they will return to Iceland to see Thorfinn's mother Helga and sister Ylva. In December 1018, Thorfinn arrives in Iceland with Leif, Einar and Bug-Eyes, having not been home since the age of six. Thorfinn meets with Ylva first, who does not recognize him. She believes Leif made up the story of running into a grown-up Thorfinn in York some years prior to cheer her and her mother up. Thorfinn goes to see Helga next, who immediately recognizes him. She remarks he has the same eyes as Thors and Thorfinn tearfully apologizes to her. Thorfinn plays with his nephews and his niece until their father, Ari, arrives home and reunites with Thorfinn. Ylva comes home and is angry to see the "imposter" again, but Helga tells her it is really her brother. Thorfinn reaches for a hug, but Ylva punches him and angrily yells at him for not coming home when he was alive all this time.