Chapter 99

"I... want to grow up to be like you one day, Thorfinn. A person who's... strong, but kind. A true man."

- Olmar

Departure (船出) is the 99th chapter of the Vinland Saga series and the last chapter of the Slave Arc.

Overview
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. Thorfinn declines his thank you gift, as the farm will need money to rebuild. 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.

Summary
When Thorfinn and Einar return to the docks, Thorfinn's face has swollen even more. Snake asks him if he can even see. Thorfinn apologizes that the swelling worsened overnight and confirms that he can still see, somehow, though it's hard to talk with how swollen his mouth is. Snake asks him what he's apologizing to them for after helping them out so far. He thanks Thorfinn and Einar. Thorfinn says he should've acted sooner, before the fighting began and people died. Snake notes that they didn't mention Thorfinn's involvement to Ketil and the other farmers and asks if it's okay that they told them Olmar was the one who successfully pleaded with the king instead. Thorfinn agrees it's fine, as he hardly did anything heroic. Einar interrupts and says it's because of him, as he doesn't want to see Ketil anymore. Thorfinn adds that he feels the same way and would rather not have Ketil thanking them. Pater, his left arm in a sling, tells them that they understand and assures them he'll take good care of Arnheid's grave. Olmar shakes Thorfinn's hand and tells him he's really thankful for what he did. He adds that he'd really like to grow up to be like him someday — someone who's strong, but kind; a true man. Thorfinn replies that it's making him blush, as he's never been praised like that before — Snake wonders if he's actually blushing, as he can't tell through all the swelling. Thorfinn tells Olmar that the losses to his farm were great and that he hopes he'll work hard to rebuild it. Thorfinn takes a knee in front of the seated Sverkel and thanks him for everything, including how much he taught him. Sverkel says he only employed them as personal servants and that he can't think of a reason they should thank him. Olmar points to a filled chest and asks them if they'll really decline their gift. Thorfinn tells him it's fine, as the farm needs the money the most, and to use it wisely. Thorfinn and Einar step onto the knarr and tell everyone on the docks to take care. Bug-Eyes mutters to Leif that it's a waste and that they should accept the gift; Leif tells him no one asked for his opinion. As the knarr drifts off, Snake tells Einar and Thorfinn that his name is Roald, son of Grim. Einar and Thorfinn thank him and tell him to take care. After the events at Ketil's farm, Canute stops his plans to confiscate wealth and instead disbands most of his Danish troops, which had been a tax burden on the English. Despite his standing army on the British Isles being reduced to 16 ships and their crew, his new English subjects do not revolt and gradually come to recognize his soundness as king. Ketil recovers from his wounds, but loses his will to work and retires. Olmar, as the new master of the farm, heavily compensates those who lost family members or suffered injuries during the battle, selling off half of the Ketil farm's lands and other Ketil family personal holdings to gather the funds necessary to do so. Thorgil, meanwhile, leaves the farm on his own, but does not return to Canute's service. At the farm, the guests complain while working the fields and ask Snake why guards should be doing farm work. Snake tells them to quit complaining and states that from now on, they'll be working for their meals. Sverkel, sitting next to Snake, asks Snake why he doesn't pick up a hoe and get working himself. Snake walks off and says he'll go borrow the machine Olmar is using; Sverkel calls him a dimwit and tells him he needs to start with the hoe. He reminds Snake that he himself asked Sverkel to teach him the work of a farmer and states that he'll teach him everything right from the basics — Snake wonders just how much longer Sverkel will live for. On Leif's knarr, Leif tells Thorfinn that although his resolve is strong, he and Einar will have a very challenging task ahead of them, as creating a new country in Vinland will be nearly impossible. He adds that is unless they have his help. Thorfinn, his face now considerably less swollen, thanks Leif. Leif says that first, they'll be heading to Iceland, where Thorfinn will have a lot to do for his mother Helga, whom he left worried for years. He adds that he's sure Helga and Ylva will both be overjoyed to see Thorfinn again.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Thorfinn
 * Snake
 * Olmar
 * Pater
 * Sverkel
 * Einar
 * Leif Ericson
 * Mols
 * Bug-Eyes
 * Canute
 * Ketil
 * Fox
 * Wild Dog
 * Sparrow
 * Toad
 * Thorgil
 * Helga
 * Marl
 * Ylva