Chapter 97

"As the supremer sovereign of Vikings, it is I who must defy God's will. And so I shall subjugate them, and consolidate their strengths, all in order to forge a path to Paradise. There is no other who is capable of such a deed. That is why I need power. I will combine the scattered strength of humans, to fight with God."

- Canute

Emperor of Rebellion (叛逆の帝王, Hangyaku no Teiō) is the 97th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Thorfinn and Einar are brought to speak to Canute. Thorfinn asks that Canute withdraw his claims to Ketil's farm, but Canute says he cannot: Ketil's son Olmar instigated the affair by killing ten of his men 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 he is the chief of all Viking chiefs and demonstrates he does not even have the power to stop the waves created by God. He states 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 God. Einar asks who will save all of the useless people Canute will kill on his way to accomplish his goals. When Thorfinn asks again, Canute confirms he has no intention of giving up on the farm, since it's necessary for his plans. He asks if Thorfinn intends to kill him now, as it's his only hope of stopping him.

Summary
On their way to see Canute, Thorfinn and Einar walk by the corpses that were laid out by Canute's soldiers. Einar is shocked to see all the people who were killed in battle; Thorfinn tells him not to look and Einar asks if Pater is among them. Thorfinn again tells him not to look, as they'll hate Canute too much to negotiate with him if they spot Pater among the corpses. Wulf goes to speak with Canute as Thorfinn and Einar are kept back by crossed spears. Canute agrees to meet them and Wulf bids them to step forward. Although they're not armed, Wulf tells Canute to not let his guard down, as they're not ordinary men. Despite his swollen face, Canute recognizes Thorfinn and tells him it's been a while. Thorfinn apologizes for inflicting a scar upon his face and says he was not in his right mind at the time. Canute notes he can barely recognize him through all the bruises, but points out Thorfinn's manner of speech has changed. He supposes 4 years is enough to change a man. Thorfinn replies that Canute has changed too and now has the face of a ruler; Canute points out that Thorfinn speaks like Askeladd. He asks Thorfinn if he resents him for reducing him to a slave. Thorfinn replies that he doesn't and is actually grateful for Canute's lenience, as it's only thanks to him that he's still alive after pointing his sword at royalty. Wulf is shocked when he realizes that this young and small Thorfinn is the same "Thorfinn Karlsefni" who scarred Canute and stood his ground in a five-minute duel against Thorkell. Einar is similarly shocked that Thorfinn drew his sword against the king, though he laughs and says his brother is even crazier than he thought. Thorfinn asks that Canute withdraw his claims to the farm; Canute replies he cannot do so. He notes that Ketil's family instigated the affair when Olmar slew ten of his subordinates, resentful he was rejected as a warrior after his poor show of swordsmanship. Thorfinn tells him he heard, but that Canute already returned the favour more than enough, as the farm already lost over 100 people. He notes that with so many workers killed, the farm may be unable to recover. Canute says that he asked for Ketil's surrender and that it's his fault for misjudging the difference in power and going ahead with the battle. He adds that it's only fair that the battle continues until Ketil's family has been dealt with. Einar points out he's saying he won't stop until he's taken the entire farm. He deduces that Canute set everything up, as a coward like Olmar would not have killed a person. Einar tells Canute that despite his excuses, he can't fool him and that a king is simply a fancy title for a thief. He asks him in what way he's different from a thuggish Viking chief. The soldiers nearby bristle at the insult, but Wulf tells them to stop, as Canute is not taking offence. Einar continues on to say that if Canute wants farmland that badly, he should try plowing and tilling the lands himself. He guesses that Canute has never even held a farm tool and thus cannot understand how abominable it is to steal someone's farm. He asks the "great Viking chief" to say something. Thorfinn tells Canute that long ago, at Gainsborough, Canute told him he would make a heaven on earth, a paradise for all who suffer in life. He asks if Canute still wishes for it. Canute says he supposes he indeed is a chief of Viking chiefs, the strongest Viking of the North Sea. He adds that he rules the largest stretch of land in the north and that his words are backed by a thousand ships and warriors, his powers surpassing human knowledge and making the impossible possible. He claims he will attempt to stop the waves with his power and yells at the waves to cease, by the power vested in him. The waves keep on crashing and Canute asks them if they saw. He points out that this is the extent of his power — that even stopping waves is beyond him, and that what causes the waves to crash in the first place is God. Canute says that building paradise on earth is to go against God's natural order, an insurrection against God himself as humans are not destined to be happy under his plans — that those who have lost their love are fated to suffer forever. Canute gestures to the soldiers around him and tells Thorfinn to take a closer look and see that they are Vikings: bringers of chaos and destruction who have no right to live in paradise. He adds that if he cannot save the people abandoned by God, he has no hope of building paradise on Earth. Einar asks him if he's saying he's saving the Vikings. Canute says that he is and that as the leader of all Vikings, he is the one who must defy God's will by gathering power and combining the strength of humans to fight God. Thorfinn thinks to himself that Canute is quite a man, as saving the Vikings never even occurred to him. Einar yells at Canute that he's overestimating his worth and what he thinks he can accomplish. He asks who will save all of the people who Canute will kill until the day he reaches his goal. He berates Canute for sparing the Vikings who can contribute to his mission while killing and stealing from others whom he considers useless. Einar notes that he cannot understand the lofty purposes that kings commit their sins for, but that after having his fields burned by King Ethelred and his family slaughtered by King Sweyn, he's tired of it and doesn't want to be a sacrifice in kings' games any longer. Canute tells him to resent him if he wishes, as he does not expect to be forgiven by the likes of him. Einar bristles, but Thorfinn tells him to stop and asks Canute if he really has no intention at all of giving up on the farm. Canute confirms he does not, as Ketil's farm is necessary for his plans. He asks what Thorfinn will do now and if he'll try to kill him, as it's his only hope of stopping him.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Canute
 * Einar
 * Thorfinn
 * Wulf
 * Thorgil
 * Olmar
 * Brodd