Episode 5

"The Grandsons, the Granddaughters, the Great-grandchildren, and a Fort" (孫息子と、孫娘と、曾孫と、砦) is the 5th episode of In the Land of Leadale anime series. It aired on February 2, 2022.

Synopsis
Cayna finally reaches the royal capital of Helshper and meets with her grandchildren Caerick and Caerina. From there, Cayna learns about how the Guardian Tower she's after is called the Crescent Moon Castle and is inhabited by bandits. Hence, with Caerick's help Cayna reaches the fort posted by the lake which is under Caerina's leadership. It's there that Rock Golems invade the fort's outer perimeter prompting Cayna to join the fray.

Summary
Arriving in the royal capital of Helshper, Cayna admires the city's staple, the windmill. She learns from Elineh more about the windmill and its functions that help the city's water supply. Another thing that Cayna notices is the Eastern style castle within the city and notes how the city has east meets west acculturation. The two then head off to the Sakaiya store and Elineh notes how he's surprised that she knows of Caerick. However, Cayna dismisses that notion claiming she doesn't and is only supposed to deliver a letter to him. This prompts Elineh to say that she's the first person he's encountered that doesn't know of Caerick, and goes on to explain his renowned merchant background. Cayna figures he's the head of a general trading company and Elineh details that his caravan often relies on the company. At the Sakaiya, the first thing that Cayna is again the east meets west acculturation of the store as its appearance has an eastern style to it. They're then greeted by a black-haired elf who exits a nearby tent, Elineh greets the man in return and informs the elf that they have a letter for Caerick from Felskeilo. Upon reading the letter, the panic-stricken black-haired elf excuses himself into the tent he came from.

Afterward, inside of the Sakaiya the two finally meet Caerick. After a brief talk between him and Elineh, Caerick bows to Cayna causing a brief shock between Cayna and Elineh; Caerick then formally greets Cayna as his grandmother. Caerick explains that he's Mai-Mai's son and despite offering luxurious accommodations for Cayna, she refuses them noting that Mai-Mai will pay for her trickery. Believing that he offended his grandmother, Cayna reassures Caerick that's not the case and notes her preference for "shabby" inns. Leaving the place, the two return to their inn and are met by Arbiter Kennison, and an elf knight accompanied by a couple of guards. They were questioned about the bandits they encountered at the checkpoint and it's said that they'll be taking the fire staff the bandits had. Because Elineh is perfectly fine with this, the elf knight asks the two knights who were accompanying her to leave. Once they do, she bows to Cayna and apologizes on her "younger brother's behalf" and calls her grandmother. She then introduces herself as Caerina, Caerick's older twin. Caerina notes that she's able to speak to Caerick through telepathy and also learns from a terrifying story that Mai-Mai once said about Cayna. Despite denying the story, Arbiter and Elineh believe it. Kennison then says a smart remark which triggers Cayna causing her to create a giant snowball and throw it at everyone. Elsewhere, a depressed Mai-Mai informs Skargo about the disastrous first encounter her kids had with Cayna at the church. Skargo reassures Mai-Mai that he'll apologize to their mother when she returns, which Mai-Mai is relieved to hear.

Later, at the adventurers' guild, Cayna learns from two adventurers about the Tower in the lake and learns that it's called the Crescent Moon Castle. Furthermore, it's currently inhabited by bandits and why it's called the Crescent Moon Castle is because it sparkles on nights of a crescent moon. Finally, there's a rumor of a great treasure room within the castle, but old scholars say it's in a place called the Hall of the Guardian and is feared by many. With that new information, Cayna thanks the two adventurers and leaves. One of the adventurers notes how he has seen Cayna somewhere before, while the other a woman, is called out for sounding too masculine. Aware of this now, the other adventurer claims that they're a "chick" while the other contemplates how he's seen her somewhere before. Outside of the guild, Cayna talks with Key about their current situation and decides to talk to Caerick for more information about the Crescent Moon Castle.

At Sakaiya, Cayna apologizes to Caerick, but once he claims that Cayna will rip him limb from limb, she has him relay a morbid telepathic message to Mai-Mai. The topic of the message is of Mai-Mai's choices of how she'll be punished. They then change the topic about the Crescent Moon Castle, which, Cayna believes is a Guardian Tower. Caerick then claims that the thirteen towers are gifts from the gods. Noting her interest in exploring the place, Caerick tries to dissuade Cayna from doing it as it's currently inhabited by bandits. On the other hand, Cayna is confident in her abilities that if need be she'll deal with them all. She also requests that the entire incident be kept under wraps as the royal knights would lose face if rumors are spread that a little girl eliminated a bunch of bandits. Caerick then informs Cayna about a fort stationed at the front of the lake and that his sister Caerina left a couple of days ago to go there and will ask that she grant her passage through there. Of course, it'll be under the guise of delivering supplies to them, which prompts a humorous moment between the two. The younger black-haired elf, sighs in relief and is thankful that his "Great-grandmother" didn't cause a scene again.

That night, Cayna informs Arbiter and Elineh of the situation involving the Crescent Moon Castle. They understand and are confident that she'll be alright. The following day, Cayna heads off to the fort, and once out of sight from the town, she summons Veldocancer so that her mule-driven wagon and herself can hitch a ride on its back. By dusk, Cayna reaches the fort and meets with Caerina who is astonished how she reached the fort so briskly when it takes an average of three days to reach there from the capital. Before their conversation continues any further, a knight abruptly enters the room to inform them that nine rock golems are attacking the fort. Caerina leaves to deal with the golem invaders, while Cayna contemplates whether or not she should get involved, despite the fact that she doesn't want to draw attention to herself.

Outside, the Rock Golems make their way to the fort as Caerina cogitates over the low inadequately armed knights she has under her and how they're not enough to protect the capital. Even though so, Caerina is determined to protect the fort with all of her might as is the knights who serve her. Opening the front gates to the fort, Caerina and her knights face off against the rock golems but their efforts are shown to be futile against their rocky opponents. Giving a slow clap for Caerina and her knights, Cayna enters the scene and claims that she'll handle the rest.

Characters

 * Cayna
 * Elineh
 * Caerick
 * Mai-Mai
 * Lonti Arbalest
 * Arbiter
 * Kenison
 * Caerina
 * Skargo
 * Kee
 * Quolkeh
 * Exis
 * Idzik

Location

 * Helshper
 * Sakaiya

Adaptation Notes

 * Light Novel Volume 1

Trivia

 * Cayna WILL punish Mai-Mai when she gets back; she just listed horrible almost fatal tortures to put some fear in her daughter (for causing her a headache yet again).
 * Caerick likely took inspiration from his uncle Skargo, hoping to impress Cayna; unlike him, Caerick can take a hint.