I think this manga really has "too much" comedy now.. The story is supposedly in a serious arc now, but Yukimura-sensei is taking it too 'light' in my opinion.. Askeladd's Saga was dark no doubt, but also other arcs like Farmland Saga, Cnut Saga or even the beginning of this saga (like when Carli's mother gave him to Thorfinn / "From a warrior to a warrior").. I must admit I was not a big fan of Thorkell from the beginning though ...
I wonder how is rating of this my favorite manga in Japan now ...