Being Overpowered in Akame ga Kill

That morning, after breakfast, with nothing pressing to do, Haruki set out with Nina, Gin, Kurome, and Chelsea, making their way leisurely toward Lina's residence. He had promised her back on the warship that he'd visit her home someday.

As for the others in Haruki's group—Esdeath had official military duties, and naturally, her devoted follower Aria accompanied her. Seryu and Yuki were at the security department handling paperwork, while the rest stayed back at Haruki's estate, focused on training.

A few days earlier, after returning from the warship, Haruki had asked Taeko to gather information on Lina's family through the security department.

As expected, from the way Lina and her father carried themselves, it was obvious their family came from old nobility. That air of refinement, distinctly different from commoners, wasn't something that could be cultivated overnight.

Lina's father, Cartel, was a hereditary noble of the Empire. His family's lineage stretched back nearly five hundred years, placing them among the Empire's long-established noble houses.

But with time, even once-great houses can decline. Unlike the Budo family, which had remained powerful for almost a thousand years, Cartel's lineage had long since seen its glory days fade. Now, no one from the family held any real position of power at court. Their influence lingered only in the business world, and were it not for Cartel's inherited title, they'd likely have already been excluded from noble society.

Over the centuries, the Cartel family had amassed great wealth. But as the saying goes—wealth without power invites danger. With no strength to defend their assets, they had become a target. The family now stood on the edge of collapse.

Haruki also realized that his meeting with Lina aboard the warship hadn't been a coincidence. But he didn't mind. He understood that Cartel's actions were simply pragmatic—and not malicious.

Cartel wasn't foolish. He was well aware of his family's precarious situation. Watching the downfall of his lineage under his watch was something he couldn't accept. The most practical solution was clear: forge an alliance through marriage with a powerful house. And Lina, known for her beauty among the nobility, was a valuable asset in that plan.

Unlike many nobles, Cartel truly cared for his daughter and would never throw away her happiness unless he had no choice. Then, by chance, he noticed Lina's subtle admiration for Haruki—and that sparked his hope.

In the eyes of many officials, Haruki's hidden standing in the capital rivaled even that of the Prime Minister. Cartel believed that if Lina could marry Haruki, not only would the family's crisis be resolved, they might even rise higher than ever before. And given Haruki's appearance, status, and how well he treated the women around him, Cartel was certain Lina would never be mistreated.

So he acted—and that was how the dance invitation on the warship had come about.

...

"According to the information, it should be right around here."

Following the details Taeko had dug up, Haruki and the others approached the Cartel estate.

The mansion sat on the outskirts of the noble district. Though still grand in appearance, it couldn't hide the traces of decline.

In the capital—especially after a millennium of refinement—the class system was rigid. Nobles never lived among commoners. A vast section near the palace was reserved for noble residences, with proximity to the center reflecting status. The stronger the house, the closer to the heart of the city.

But as their status waned, the Cartels had gradually been pushed outward. If things continued as they were, it wouldn't be long before their house faded from noble society altogether.

"Yeah, this should be the place... but it looks like things aren't going well for Lina's family."

Chelsea, the most outgoing among them, responded to Haruki's remark with a sigh.

After years by Haruki's side, Chelsea was no longer the naïve girl from the Empire's border. She now understood the power dynamics of the capital's nobility quite well.

As they chatted, the group drew closer to the estate...

...

"Wait... something's off."

Before even reaching the gates, they noticed signs that something wasn't right.

First, there was a faint scent of blood lingering around the Cartel residence. While an ordinary person might miss it, Haruki and Chelsea—both vampires acutely sensitive to the smell of blood—picked it up immediately. The other girls, all highly skilled fighters, sensed it too.

Second, despite the family's decline, they were still nobles—yet there wasn't a single guard at the entrance. The gates were wide open in broad daylight. That alone was cause for concern.

"Let's go in."

Seeing the signs, Haruki acted without delay. He took a step forward—his pace steady, almost casual, but in an instant, he was already at the estate's gate, his movement unnaturally fast.

The girls didn't hesitate. They quickly followed in his footsteps.