Some time has passed since I’ve begun reading.

After comprehending the last words I’ve read, I’ve begun to realized why our flesh remains as it was when we were alive and why the ones outside were different as they begun to rot.

“So this is why… That man must have found a way through alchemy.”

I said in realization.

Alchemy, in some rural provinces, is the art of changing ordinary metal gold. Although the ones who strived to achieve such a thing succeeded, alchemy, is something far more than a desire for gold. Those who practice alchemy study plants and animals and mix them together to form various chemicals. Some delve deep into poison, through alchemy, they improve and refine their craft to kill all manner of things. Some delve into medicine, they ail all types of diseases.

Thus, alchemy is something of a two-edged sword.

It can be used to kill and used to save others.

Although there are some twisted practitioners of alchemy, I’ve never heard of someone twisted enough to study alchemy for sole purpose of preserving flesh!

And one who actually succeeded at that.

“Regardless of how twisted that man was and how many perished to his experiments, myself included, I cannot help but admire that man’s knowledge…”

I murmured in shock.

After a moment, I continued reading with renewed vigor.

I will now explain how I’ve succeeded in hopes that if I were to fall, another would take my place in this noble endeavor.

First of all, why does the beautiful bodies of flesh decay? Why do they rot and wither, like flowers on the meadows? I shall now explain. When a living creature perishes, its body is subjected to the harsh environment. There are in total, five stages of decay, until flesh and blood are naught more than bones, however, I shall not care to explain what those are, according to my observations. For from the second stage onwards, its beauty has already withered, and thus, is unworthy of my attention. Though, if you would care for such trivialities, they are stored in one of the shelves here, colored grey. The only grey colored book present here.

“A grey book?”

I muttered.

Apparently, the professor thought someone would continue his research should he perish.

I really wonder why someone would continue the path of a madman who adores human flesh.

However, I cannot deny the possibility of one existing.

After all, that man did exist, it isn’t too difficult to assume another would take his place.

Later on, I must ensure that I destroy all this research.

To ensure that no one continues this path.

That was a bit off-topic now though.

Apparently, somewhere here, there is a grey book regarding the decay of corpses.

I should stop considering how twisted that man is.

To kill a person and to watch slowly as that person’s body decays till only bones remain… And to be sure, a large number of people were slaughtered to achieve such a deed. And yet even more were killed to figure a means to preserve a human body completely…

Returning to the most important matter at hand, the first stage. It is where the beauty of the living body still remains. After the moment of death, heat fades from the body. When all the heat has finally cooled down, the body then collapses. The flesh become rigid and stiff, like a statue if you will, and this sends a message to certain cells causing the body to collapse. Or break down into smaller pieces. It becomes the ideal home for anaerobic organisms that feast on flesh. Wretched creature they are! Unable to comprehend true beauty. I detest their very existence!

Stolen story; please report.

“…………………………..There are far more detestable creatures in this world…”

So there are certain creatures that feast on human flesh. That’s how flesh decays…

That’s interesting but rather sinister.

Since I’m already dead, this much is completely useless to me.

I believe I should burn down majority of the books present here.

I should at least save the grey book since it might be useful although it was attained after the sacrifice of living people.

Moving on, the only method to prevent decay is to halt the process before this all occurs. Simply put, at the moment of death while heat fades. Halt the process there, before the body breaks down to pieces, before those wretches reach the flesh. And thus you would succeed. I have attempted to stop the process at other stages but failed. Once the first stage starts, it is difficult to stop. And even if you succeed, its beauty would have faded already. In layman terms, stop those pests before they enter and you win. For this purpose, I’ve delved deep into alchemy. After strenuous research, I’ve finally found a chemical capable of this wondrous feat.

I rejoiced greatly after this discovery. I’ve placed the formula to construct this chemical in the Chemical Laboratory. I’ve also had several artworks there completed and I’m currently working on. In particular, I’ve found a rather fine specimen. Beautiful eyes that shine like jewels… A princely and noble face… As well smooth wondrous hair… What a fine work of art! It would be a waste to the world for this magnificent artwork to be lost.

I froze.

Those descriptions…

Don’t they refer to me…?

“I see… So I was the first complete ‘artwork’? What a fate… For me to die for such a worthless cause…”

I grimaced.

I felt no anger.

But rather, sorrow.

To die for something like that…

After a few weeks of hard work, I’ve completed my work. I’ve fitted him with clothing fit for a prince and stored his sword near him. I’ve placed him in a rather elegantly designed room. I believe I should make some knights to guard him. To complete the set. What kind of prince would lack knights to guard him?

My studies have finally been completed. A pity that I could not share it with the world, as those philistines could never comprehend true beauty. Only the rare few would understand, as works of art are nothing more than targets for destruction for those wretched savages.

Thus, you, who reads this, I hope do not belong to their ranks. And could comprehend the nobility of my work, despite the sacrifice of many to achieve this art. Look deep towards the end of this underground area. That is where everything lies…

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Good morning everyone.

Sorry that I couldn't post as much as possible earlier but I was quite busy. Anyways, I'm trying to improve my ability to write novels and my grammar. I'm trying to focus on quality more so than quantity.