#821 The Kotatsu that Ruins People

Winter continues its grip.

It’s cold.

But we’ve lived long enough on this farm that our amenities have improved.

Even our measures against the cold have evolved quite a bit since the old days.

There’s the firewood heated the orcs crafted and the snug fur sweaters Batemy and her team stitched up.

And the hot springs’ temperature is just right, especially in winter.

But the itch for something new starts to creep up on me.

Without a change, even winter can lose its charm.

So, I’ve decided to launch a new project.

“Let’s make a kotatsu.”

Yes, that magical contraption.

Once you’re in, it will not let you go, plummeting your spirit to the depths of indulgence.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a weapon.

Who could resist the temptation of a kotatsu?

That’s why I’ve hesitated to create one until now.

By introducing a kotatsu into this peaceful world, I feared I might usher in its downfall through sheer decadence and stagnation.

But I have faith. Faith in the self-discipline and self-control of the people of this world.

Though, if I’m honest, the real reason is my recent overwhelming desire to dive into a kotatsu myself.

Once decided, it’s time for action.

The elves, woodworking experts, swiftly crafted the low table that forms the kotatsu’s skeleton. Their work is always so efficient.

I made sure they used wood that could withstand the heat.

Next, I asked Batemy’s team to create the kotatsu quilt.

They stuffed it with plenty of cotton—it looks just perfect to trap in the warmth.

And then the crucial component, the heart of the matter: the heater.

Without it, there’s no kotatsu.

But I found myself in a bit of a scramble because this is a fantasy world.

Machinery parts are naturally non-existent, not to mention an infrared heater.

In the olden days, without machines, they would put a charcoal brazier under the blanket to warm it. But with little ones at home, I don’t want anything that dangerous around.

A crisis in the making of the kotatsu? Fear not.

Because this is a fantasy world, there’s always something else we have for what we lack.

I rushed to Sensei’s dungeon and rummaged around, and there it was.

A magic stone that emits heat.

It has the right temperature that doesn’t burn you.

This should be perfectly safe and secure to attach under the tabletop as a heat source.

Without modern technology, one might be at a loss, but with dungeons and magic, almost anything is manageable.

That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned since coming to this other world.

With all the materials gathered, it’s time to assemble and dock!

Voila!

Behold, the cordless otherworldly kotatsu!

Powered by a magic stone—there’s no need for an electric power supply or power cords!

Tangles of cords are the bane of a tidy room!

Here’s to a clutter-free life in another world. Banzai!

Now, it’s time to slide my legs into the kotatsu.

I slip in effortlessly.

“Ooooooh, this is so warm!”

I’m back.

Back to this ever-spring paradise.

Once you’ve put your feet into the warm kotatsu, there’s no going back out!

Even if it means risking an accident because you can’t hold it any longer, I’m staying right here!

I’m certain now that I’ve created something truly outrageous.

“A new scent of adventure is in the air.”

Here comes Veil.

It’s uncanny how she always seems to sense when I’m up to something new.

I swear she must have installed a surveillance camera or something.

But she’s out of luck today. What I’ve made isn’t edible.

I think to myself, wrapped snugly in the kotatsu.

“Hm? What’s up, Master? Why are you just poking your head out like that?”

Before I knew it, I had sunk into the kotatsu, submerged from the neck down.

Classic kotatsu behavior.

But once you grow up, you just don't fit under a kotatsu anymore. If you try to get your shoulders under, your legs stick out, and if you pull in your legs, your shoulders are left in the cold. 

It’s a moment that reminds you of the melancholy of outgrowing things...

“What’s this? A table covered with a quilt... A kotatsu? Ah, I see, it warms the contents inside with its fluffy quilt. Humans sure are quaint creatures. Without such a gimmick, they could never withstand the cold of winter, could they?”

It seems Veil has reverted to her dragon-like haughtiness.

“We dragons, covered in our fiery scales, shrug off the bitterest cold and the most scorching heat with ease! Even the fiercest of blizzards don’t stand a chance against us! Such cold-weather gear is unnecessary for us! Gahahahahaha!”

Is that so?

Well then, in that case, you’ve no part in this, so I’ll continue to indulge—er, conduct a thorough performance test of the kotatsu before introducing it to the family. Meanwhile, you’re free to roam the North or South Pole with those proud dragon wings of yours.

And so, I burrowed into the kotatsu for a good little hour.

...

“Fwahhh, it’s so warm and cozy!”

And just like that, Veil, too, was swallowed by the kotatsu’s charm!

I knew it would come to this!

Even a dragon, impervious to the extremes of temperature, cannot resist the warm allure of the kotatsu!

“Waaaa, why can’t I resist this? I never want to leaveeee.”

Veil’s wisdom seemed to wane under the kotatsu’s spell.

“I want to eat oranges while lounging under here. Master, fetch some for me.”

“No way, get them yourself.”

Veil is astutely aware of the perfect pairing of kotatsu and oranges.

However, the thought of venturing out from the cozy kotatsu...

Absolutely not!

I’d rather starve than leave this haven!

Well, at least, I am spared one of the classic kotatsu conundrums—”changing the TV channel”—since, fortunately, this fantasy world doesn’t have TVs.

“Here comes another classic, meow!”

What the-?!

A cat has appeared!

“For three thousand years, I’ve sought the coziest spots to rest, and my feline instincts tell me—this is the golden land! That’s why I’ve come, meowww!”

A feline’s innate quest for comfort.

Of course, it wouldn’t overlook the kotatsu.

I'll quickly explain why the cat can speak human language so fluently—it’s because a Lifeless King possesses it, though it seems to be heavily swayed by cat instincts.

“I demand entry into this paradise! Open the gates immediately, meowww!”

“Okay, okay.”

Typical cat.

With no entrance in sight, it meows, “Lift it up!”

Humans, unable to resist such commands, lift the quilt for them.

“Yes! Chargeee, meowww!”

The cat gleefully dives in. 

Ater some time...

“So warm. I’m bored of the kotatsu, meow.”

It seems the warmth of the kotatsu might be a bit too much for the cat, as it soon emerges, flipping over the quilt and letting in a draft, causing the cozy warmth to escape! 

Typically, when a cat leaves, it exits by your feet, making it all the more bothersome to fix the futon!

“Hey, cat! If you’re going out, at least fix the cover first! You’re letting in cold air from the hole you left!!!”

“Now it’s cold outside. Let me back into the kotatsu, meowww.”

“Just re-enter through the hole you made, will you?!”

More typical cat behavior.

Once it leaves through one entrance, it never uses it again.

“Cats are integral to the kotatsu experience, so show some gratitude, meow!”

The cat uses this cultural icon as an excuse to be brazen.

Audacious, really.

But then, an unexpected challenger arrives...

“Pochi?”

Pochi is a wolf-like monster that’s taken up residence on the farm.

His species name is apparently Hypercaon, but he’s affectionately known as Pochi here.

Pochi shoves his snout between the quilt and the floor, then proceeds to burrow his way in.

“Myaaaaa! You’re a dog! What are you doing getting into the kotatsu, meowww!”

These days, dogs, too, seek comfort in the kotatsu.

The kotatsu, now packed with a dog, a cat, and Veil, has become too crowded for me to even turn over.

The kotatsu truly has an enchanting quality.

It swallows everything into its embrace.