He has not gone mad. It is an act. Me or Wales... He took the option that delivered the greatest chance of saving both. By acting like a madman, he assumes all the guilt for the murder of the king.— Canute
The Fury of Britannia's King (ブリタニア王猛(たけ)る Buritania Ō Takeru?) is the 53rd chapter of the Vinland Saga series.
Overview
Thorfinn hears screams coming from inside the hall and goes to one of the windows to see what's happening. He is shocked to see Askeladd slashing away at people and angrily starts to make for the entrance, wondering what Askeladd is doing. Inside, Askeladd laughs maniacally as he kills those who approach him. Canute orders the men to continue rushing him and to barricade the doors once reinforcements arrive. He tells Thorkell that Askeladd has not gone mad and that having probably been given the choice between Wales and Canute, he took the path most likely to save both by taking full responsibility for the murder of the king. Canute tells Thorkell he can end it, but Thorkell replies that Canute, as Askeladd's "master," should be the one to do it. As Askeladd trades blows with Floki, Thorfinn struggles to make it inside the hall, as the entrance is blocked by the escaping chieftains and the incoming reinforcements. Once he clears the crowd, he yells Askeladd's name. Askeladd looks at him and yells at him to stay away. As Askeladd is distracted by Thorfinn, Canute pierces his sword through Askeladd's chest in front of a shocked Thorfinn.
Summary
Thorfinn stands from where he was sitting outside the hall when he hears screams coming from inside. Chieftains come running out of the hall, making for the secret entrance and the front. Thorfinn hops up to one of the hall's windows and sees Askeladd slashing away at people inside. Shocked, he wonders what's going on and what Askeladd is doing. Thorfinn unsheathes his daggers and angrily makes for the hall. Inside, Askeladd keeps hacking away at those who approach him. He yells out that they should step forward if they wish to die, as the King of Britannia will oblige them. Canute continues to order the men to rush him with numbers and tells them to barricade the doors once reinforcements arrive, as Askeladd must not leave the hall alive. He orders some of the men to take King Sweyn's body into the back and to cover his body with his cape so that the servants don't see him. The chieftains try to leave the hall, but are slowed down by the incoming reinforcements. Thorfinn pushes his way through the crowd, yelling out Askeladd's name.
Canute tells an unimpressed Thorkell to hold it in, as it's not his turn yet. Thorkell replies that Askeladd is a blood-crazed fool and that he hates having his prey snatched away from him. Canute clarifies that Askeladd has not gone mad, and that it's all an act; he assumes that he was forced to choose between Canute and Wales and took the option that had the greatest chance of saving both, choosing to act like a madman to assume all of the guilt for murdering the king. Canute asks Thorkell to let Askeladd have his rampage and says he'll allow Thorkell to finish it. Thorkell goes to sit down and resumes eating. He tells Canute he won't do it, as Askeladd is Canute's man and that as Askeladd's "master," it is Canute who should put him down.
Askeladd continues to laugh maniacally and kill his opponents, goading them and calling them filthy Danes. Floki attacks Askeladd and asks him if he has any idea what he's done by killing the king. Askeladd asks what Floki means, as the king is standing right there. Floki yells that the war with England will start again because of Askeladd, putting them back at square one. Askeladd tells Floki he's petty and has never learned to see beyond his losses and his gains. Floki asks him who he thinks he is and calls him son of a slave. Unimpressed, Askeladd asks if that's how he speaks to his rightful king and presses his sword, pushing Floki down to his knees. Askeladd laughs and says Floki will get the honour of kissing his boot, then die.
Thorfinn finally clears the crowd and yells out Askeladd's name. Askeladd looks over to him and yells at him to stay away. As he is looking at Thorfinn, Canute pierces his sword through Askeladd's chest. Canute huffs as his hands shake. Thorfinn watches the scene unfold, wide-eyed in shock.