Chapter 76

"Ketil will be our first target. Though kind and well-intentioned, he will have to suffer... for the peace and stability of my people."

- Canute

Olmar's Finest Hour (オルマル晴れ舞台) is the 76th chapter of the Vinland Saga series.

Overview
Leif's adopted son introduces himself as Thorfinn, though he specifies everyone calls him "Bug-Eyes." Ketil reacts to the name "Thorfinn" and explains that he has a worker of that name. Leif follows up with questions about this Thorfinn's appearance and background; Ketil's answers match the Thorfinn he's looking for. Leif tries to convince an unimpressed Mols that they should make a five-day detour to Ketil's farm. The next day, Ketil and his sons go see King Canute for an audience. Canute compliments the quality of Ketil's gifts and comments that he intends to keep a good relationship with Ketil as his father and brother did before him. Olmar suddenly stands and requests to be enlisted in King Canute's army. Canute instructs him to demonstrate his skills on a dead pig that will be served to his troops for dinner. Olmar states he will cut it in one clean stroke, but embarrassingly fails, hacking several times and never even making it halfway through the pig's carcass. Later, Wulf and Canute discuss. They agree Olmar would be an undesirable soldier. Canute tells Wulf it's time to put their earlier plan into motion, starting with their first target, Ketil.

Summary
Ketil and Olmar sit with Leif and his son. Leif explains that he adopted him after a series of coincidences, and tells him to introduce himself. He introduces himself as Thorfinn, but specifies that everyone calls him by his nickname, "Bug-Eyes". Ketil visibly reacts to the name "Thorfinn" and explains that a man of the same name works on his farm. Leif asks Ketil if this Thorfinn is a slave. Ketil confirms and says he's surprised Leif guessed it, as he didn't mention Thorfinn's status to avoid spoiling the mood. Leif asks if this Thorfinn is a blond-haired and brown-eyed Nord, about as old as Bug-Eyes. Ketil confirms, though he says Thorfinn is shorter than Bug-Eyes. Leif asks if he's from Iceland and used to be a warrior; Ketil cannot confirm, but says that Thorfinn has numerous scars on his body. Concerned, Bug-Eyes tells Leif not to get his hopes up, as this might be a repeat of the same situation Leif had with him. Leif replies that he knows, but that Ketil's descriptions match the Thorfinn he's looking for so far. Ketil asks what Leif's connection to Thorfinn is. Leif explains that he's been searching for him for many years, as he's his late friend's son and was sold into slavery.

Leif and Bug-Eyes return to Leif's knarr. Leif tells Mols that they'll be dropping by Ketil's farm, in the southern region of Jutland. Mols is surprised by the request for a detour; Leif meekly says it's not all that far and that Ketil said they could simply follow his ship. Mols inquires about how far Ketil's farm is, and Leif replies it would be about five days in good conditions. Mols angrily says that it's hardly just "dropping by," since it'll throw off their schedule by ten days. Leif says that this time is different, and that he knows deep down that the Thorfinn at Ketil's farm is the correct one. Mols tells Leif that it's already fall and that the Greenland sea will freeze over, putting them into a bad situation if they were to encounter bad winds. Mols tells Leif that they have no time for his wild goose chase. The next day, Ketil awaits an audience with King Canute with his sons, surprised they'd be granted one so quickly after only just arriving the previous day. He comments that Thorgil must be more influential than he thought. Thorgil replies that he's surprised himself, as King Canute is very busy. He guesses that the king may have just been very pleased with Ketil's gifts. Ketil agrees that might be it, as the quality and quantity of his goods are high and the king could have realized that good dealings with him are quite profitable. They are summoned for their audience and Ketil tells Olmar to be on his best behaviour. They enter and kneel before Canute; Ketil gives him a big smile. Canute says that Ketil's gifts are of excellent quality and that he is glad to accept them. Ketil replies that it is an honour and confirms that everything he gifted was grown on his farm when Canute asks him about it. He tells Canute that King Harald liked their farm's products so much that he feasted on their pigs for Yule every year. Canute says that he heard about his late father and brother's good dealings with Ketil's farm over the years and intends to keep them going, as affluent farms are a treasure in Denmark. Ketil thanks him for his words. Olmar suddenly stands; Gunnar reminds him he is in the presence of a king and tells him to kneel back down. Having no idea what Olmar is doing, Ketil starts apologizing for his son's impudence. Olmar remains standing and loudly tells Canute he has a request: he wants to be enlisted in his army, preferably in the same division as his brother Thorgil. He starts to draw his sword, stating that he has honed his skills for his day and that he'll be of use. Ketil rushes to stop Olmar, calling him a fool and asking if he has any idea what it means to draw a blade in the presence of a king. Olmar yells at Ketil to let go of him and says that he wants to become a warrior instead of letting himself rot away on a farm. Gunnar asks Canute what they should do. Canute, looking bored, says that they'll let Olmar put his skills to the test. Canute has a pig set out on a table in front of Olmar and tells him that it is to be his troop's dinner; he instructs Olmar to think of it as an enemy warrior and to show him how well he can hack it down. Olmar tells Canute that he will cut it cleanly with one stroke. Embarrassingly, his first stroke fails, as do the next few following it. None of his slashes make it even halfway through the pig's carcass. Olmar mutters that bones are hard. Ketil hides his face in embarrassment and Thorgil and Wulf seem shocked at the extent of Olmar's failure. Canute stands and says that he'll consult with his division captains about Olmar's request. He tells the family that until then, they can lodge in the castle. Ketil goes to sleep as soon as they get to their room, mumbling about his idiotic son. Sitting at a table outside, Thorgil tells Olmar he really did a number on their father and that he himself will be made a fool out of for months because of Olmar's stunt. He tells Olmar that what's done is done, but that he shouldn't do anything that will shame their family more going forward. In Canute's study, Wulf tells him that Olmar couldn't become a regular soldier, as he'd be a very undesirable one. He explains that it's common for men like Olmar, who have only pride to compensate for their lack of skills, to overestimate their worth and be the first ones to perish in battle. Canute agrees with his opinion, but asks Wulf for his opinion on another matter. Wulf agrees they can use "him." Canute says that this stereotypical brash Nordic man will be easy to manipulate. He turns Wulf's attention back to the plan they spoke about earlier, saying it's time they got started. Canute says it might be a bit early, but that they cannot let the golden opportunity pass. He states that Ketil will be their first target, as even though he's kind and has good intentions, he will have to suffer for the peace and stability of the people.

Characters in Order of Appearance

 * Olmar
 * Ketil
 * Bug-Eyes
 * Leif Ericson
 * Mols
 * Thorgil
 * Canute
 * Gunnar
 * Wulf