Episode 24: End of the Prologue

Rewarded for saving Canute, Askeladd realizes Sweyn has caught his flinch over Wales when the king names that campaign next. He openly challenges the plan as a fruitless drain on land and people already worn by a decade of war, and volunteers instead to ride as an envoy and win Wales through courtesy. Sweyn praises this as the mark of a loyal vassal, then embraces him and delivers an ultimatum: bring him Canute's head and join him, or watch Wales invaded. The king has learned of Askeladd's slave mother and guesses the Welsh land, which only produces slaves, is why he clings to it.

Elsewhere, Leif brings Thorfinn to his boat to wait for Mord's return. Thorfinn watches a seagull take flight, stares at the sky, and quietly slips away, leaving Leif to search for him. Back in the hall, Askeladd shoves Sweyn's hand aside, declaring he despises the king's face and will not let a crown rest on that head. He levels his sword, warns the guards off since Sweyn stands within his reach, and reveals that Askeladd is only a nickname; his true name is Lucius Artorius Castus, the rightful ruler of Britannia. When Floki hurls a cup and orders an attack, Askeladd strikes off Sweyn's head.

Askeladd looks to Canute, who commands the men to cut down the criminal. As Thorfinn fights inward through the panicked crowd, Canute holds Thorkell back, explaining that Askeladd has not gone mad but is acting; by feigning insanity he takes sole blame for regicide and buys the lives of both Canute and Wales. Askeladd overpowers Floki and forces him to kneel, waves Thorfinn away, and in a moment of distraction is stabbed by Canute. As the men celebrate, Askeladd tells Thorfinn that this is his chance and offers his own life so the boy may finally kill him.

Realizing Askeladd is dying, Thorfinn rages that it was never meant to end this way and screams at him to stand and duel. Askeladd asks how the boy intends to live once he is gone, sees that Thorfinn has never considered it, and urges him to press beyond even the world Thors reached and become a true warrior before drawing his last breath. Canute frees Thorfinn to leave, but the boy lunges at him and only grazes his cheek before Thorkell subdues him. Canute spares his life, takes up the crown, and declares himself commander and ruler of England, canceling the Welsh campaign and turning to the revolt he expects once Sweyn's death spreads.

Askeladd argues against invading Wales, then, cornered by Sweyn's ultimatum, unveils his true name, Lucius Artorius Castus, and beheads the king while feigning madness to shield Canute and his homeland. Canute delivers the fatal stab, understanding the ruse. Askeladd dies urging Thorfinn to find a purpose beyond revenge. Thorfinn attacks Canute, is subdued, and is taken captive as Canute claims the throne of England and abandons the war on Wales.

End of the Prologue premiered on December 29, 2019, closing Season 1 and the War Arc while adapting chapters 52 through 54. Tadahito Matsubayashi and Shuuhei Yabuta shared episode direction and storyboard duties, with scripts by Hiroshi Seko and Kenta Ihara. The wiki notes it as the series' highest-rated entry on IMDB. Dark Crow opens and Drown closes the episode.