Episode 22

"Lone Wolf" (孤狼) is the twenty-second episode of the Vinland Saga anime, produced by WIT Studio.

Synopsis
Thorfinn duels once again with Askeladd and is handily beaten by the man. Sequentially after the duel, Askeladd reveals his harsh backstory about his adolescent life.

Summary
Thorfinn faces Askeladd, but feels he is different than usual. Thorkell asks Canute on who he thinks will win. Canute doesn't care, and states he intends to stop the duel before someone dies. Thorkell doesn't find that fun and states that its a rare to see a duel between such skilled warriors. Canute then asks Thorkell on who he thinks will win and Thorkell guesses it will be Askeladd, basing his guess on his aura. Canute notes that Thorfinn defeated Thorkell, so that will make Askeladd even stronger. That annoys Thorkell, who gives Canute a scary look and states that there is no way he is the weakest of the three. Thorkell then explains that its not easy to say who is stronger and weaker, and that sometimes you lose or win.

Askeladd tells Thorfinn to attack him, but Thorfinn doesn't move. Seeing that, Askeladd throws away his sword, telling him again to come and attack him. Thorfinn gets annoyed and attacks Askeladd, but he easily stops him by grabbing his hands. Askeladd then tells Thorfinn that he still doesn't understand why their fights turn like this, and proceeds to beat up Thorfinn. Seeing that, Thorkell takes back what he said and states this isn't a duel. He notes that Askeladd knowns Thorfinn's habits and see through him. He guesses that they have dueled many times and wonders why they keep on doing it. Askeladd knocks Thorfinn, stating he never learns and wonders if he got full of himself after he beat Thorkell. Askeladd takes his sword, stating that Thorfinn can't beat him with one arm. Canute then stops the fight, saying that Askeladd is the winner, since Thorfinn had passed out. Canute wakes up Thorfinn, who then prepares to fight again, but Canute tells him that he lost already and he should try again after his arm is healed.

Askeladd states the result would be the same, and that Thorfinn is losing because he is an idiot. Normally he knows how to think while he fights, but once he loses his temper, he stops thinking, and looking at his eyes, Askeladd can easily see where he is aiming. Askeladd states that all the Norse warriors are the same, they lose their temper, shout loudly and wave their sword around, fighting like idiots, without any beauty. Bjorn is correct that Askeladd hates warriors, especially the vikings. The first man Askeladd ever killed was also a Norse man, his father. Askeladd then decides to tell Thorfinn on how to kill someone he hates.

Askeladd's mother was a slave, and ever since he can remember himself, Askeladd worked in the blacksmith's shop and the stable. He was always covered in ash, coal, or horse manure, so they gave him the nickname "Askeladd", which means "covered in ash". His father, Olaf, was from a powerful family in Jutland and loved women, booze and killing people. Askeladd heard that he had many children with women around, but only named the older kids he had with his legal wife. Askeladd's mother was one of his father's favorite slaves, but after she fell ill, he treated her like a dog. She often told Askeladd about the hero Artorius, one of their ancestors, and believed that one day he would be reborn and return to free her from her illness and enslavement. She believed Artorius is living in a paradise in a land beyond the sea, where he is recovering from his wounds and one day would return and conquer the world. They have waited for him 500 years, but he still haven't returned. Askeladd believes that if the hero is indeed living in a paradise, there is no reason for him to return to this awful place. When Askeladd was 11, his mother's heart snapped. She went out and ended up meeting Olaf, mistaking him for the hero Artorius. As Olaf drew out his sword, Askeladd realized in an instant that if Artorius doesn't save his mother now, he never come. Askeladd then took a sword and attacked Olaf. He had never used a sword before, but it felt right in his hands. Olaf still managed to defeat Askeladd, but realized that Askeladd is his child. He found potential in Askeladd and allowed him to live in the hall.

Askeladd realized he can't kill him now, but at least he made him notice him. He then behaved himself and didn't slack his training. He got along with his half-brother and always showed respect to his father. It took him two years, but people started to accept him as Olaf's son. Askeladd then finally killed Olaf in his sleep. He wanted to accomplish two things: catch Olaf off guard and right to inherit his property. Askeladd used his older brother's sword with who Olaf didn't get along. The other brothers though that older son was the murderer and hanged him.

Its been 10 years and Thorfinn still can't kill Askeladd, which means Thorfinn is an idiot. Thorfinn promises to kill him no matter what. Askeladd can't believe Thorfinn said that again, after all he had told him. Askeladd states that Thorfinn is like a dog chasing his food. He is thankful for all the work he did, and all he had to do is put an act during their duels. Askeladd guesses that he also needs to thank Thors, and then leaves. Thorfinn starts yelling for Askeladd to wait, but has no strength to chase after him.

Askeladd takes Bjorn's body to bury him. Canute asks Askeladd on why he chose him, and if he wants to become the king himself and change the world. Askeladd wonders if Canute has been listening. He states that Canute is more suited to be the king.

Characters in order of appearance

 * Bjorn
 * Askeladd
 * Thorfinn
 * Canute
 * Thorkell
 * Olaf
 * Lydia

Trivia
Odcinek 22