"Hmm~ What should I do…"
"What is all this?"
A large number of wooden crates were stacked inside the medical department's warehouse.
Standing in front of the pile of boxes, Reitalyu held her head in her hands.
"They're matches for lighting fires."
"Why are there so many?"
It seemed that all of the crates were filled with matches.
Matches were essential to the medical department. They were used for boiling water and sterilizing instruments.
"It looks like one of my subordinates made a mistake when placing the order."
"I see."
Apparently, the medical department's administrative staff had made a mistake in writing the order form.
"This is a problem."
As a result, several times the intended number of matches had been delivered.
"It wouldn't be so bad if it were anything else. But of all things, it had to be matches."
"Is there a problem with matches?"
"Yes, they're difficult to manage."
Flammable materials had to be strictly controlled at the front lines.
Matches had to be stored separately from other supplies in accordance with regulations. Damage could spread rapidly if they were ignited by an enemy attack.
"There's no way this many will fit in the warehouse we're currently using."
"What should we do?"
"Hmm, I guess we'll have to sell them off to the soldiers in small batches."
Saying that, Reitalyu reached into one of the crates and scooped up an armful of matchboxes.
She placed them into a small basket and handed it to me.
"If we ask the soldiers on the front lines, they might buy them."
"I see."
Indeed, matches were an essential item for soldiers in the trenches.
They were used for smoking, drinking coffee, and heating rations. There was a good chance they would buy them if we just asked.
"I'll go get permission from the higher-ups to sell the matches. Sorry, Touri, but could you try talking to the soldiers in between treatments?"
"Understood."
"Thanks, Touri. Do your best!"
And so, having received a special assignment from Reitalyu, I ended up selling matches in between my regular duties.
***
"Matches, does anyone need matches?"
That being said, what I did wasn't that different from usual.
As always, I simply treated the injuries of patients who came in.
"Why is the medical department selling matches?"
"We accidentally ordered too many. It would really help us out if you'd be willing to buy some."
"Then, I'll take some."
Luckily, this wasn't like that one fairy tale where matches never sell.
In fact, they sold like hotcakes. It was as if people were repaying me for their treatment.
"Thanks. I'll put these matches to good use."
"Thank you very much for your cooperation."
After about half a day of seeing patients, the dozens of matchboxes steadily dwindled away.
"Reitalyu, there are no matches left in the basket."
"Oh my, Touri. You've already sold them all?"
They were completely sold out by sunset.
Even though matches were essential on the front lines, I hadn't expected them to sell this well.
"Here, some more matchboxes."
"Thank you. I'll take them with me."
There were still plenty of matchboxes left. The match-selling would have to continue into the next day as well.
***
"Only your matches seem to be selling unusually well, Touri."
Once again, the matchboxes sold quickly the following day.
The soldiers were probably helping out, thinking of the medical department. I felt grateful for their kindness.
"Am I the only one who's been selling well?"
"Yes, the other medics aren't selling nearly as many."
Looking at the medical department as a whole, overall sales weren't that high.
"Maybe…"
"Reitalyu?"
Why were only mine selling out?
I didn't give any sales pitches or anything like that. I just asked if they wanted to buy some after treatment.
"Touri, you don't need to do medical work tomorrow. Just focus on selling matches."
As I grew suspicious, Reitalyu suddenly looked as if she'd realized something.
Her expression turned mischievous.
"I think I know why."
"…?"
She smiled warmly at me.
***
Now, the reason behind the unusual sales of these matchboxes?
"Hey, look at this! These are lucky matches I bought from the Lucky Carry!"
"Are you serious?!"
…The matches I sold had somehow become lucky charms among the soldiers.
"Man, a cigarette smoked with a lucky match really tastes good."
"It's really a lucky cigarette."
The soldiers apparently believed in the Lucky Carry quite seriously, and there was a fierce competition to get their own matches.
"Damn it, why didn't I end up in Lucky Carry's exam room?"
"Pretty nice, huh? I might trade you one for some chocolate."
On top of that, my matches were being resold at fairly high prices.
Some shady dealers were even selling ordinary matches while claiming they were lucky matches.
…If they were really worth that much, it was no wonder everyone kept buying them.
"Uh, um… would anyone like some matches?"
"Oh, it's the Lucky Carry!"
"Sell me some too!"
When I focused solely on selling matches at the entrance of the medical department, a line formed that was longer than the line for medical treatment.
"I'll buy all the matches left in that basket!"
"Stop messing around! There's no way that's allowed!"
"O-Only one per person please."
The matches disappeared at an incredible rate. Before I knew it, the wooden crates were empty.
The money pouch for accounting was stuffed full of bills.
"S-So turns out they really do sell well…"
"That's a bit scary."
When I showed the empty crates and the pouch full of earnings, Reitalyu looked slightly taken aback.
Honestly, I was a little surprised too.
"But I guess that means we're done selling matches."
"…No."
Still, at least we had recovered the funds lost due to the mistaken order.
It had been a tough day, but it felt fresh. Kinda like working as a vendor at a festival.
It was almost a shame that it would all end in just one day…
"Touri, we're selling again tomorrow."
"Reitalyu?"
As I was thinking that, Reitalyu flashed a sly grin and said so.
"We still have plenty of matches thanks to the mistaken order. It'll be fine to sell another case or two."
"Is there really any need to sell them?"
I had a bad feeling about this.
It felt like Reitalyu was thinking of something very wrong.
"Let's double the selling price."
"Reitalyu, wouldn't that be a problem?"
"The soldiers will buy them even at double the price. It's a business opportunity!"
Reitalyu said with sparkling eyes.
Based on today's momentum, plenty of people would probably buy them even at double the price.
"B-But selling goods bought with the military budget for profit…"
"It can't be helped since it was a mistaken order! The higher-ups will understand!"
"Even so, that's pretty underhanded."
Reselling items bought with the military budget at inflated prices is obviously bad.
I tried to warn Reitalyu, but she wouldn't listen.
"Okay, Touri! This is an order from your superior!"
"Y-Yes, ma'am…"
If it's a superior's order, I couldn't refuse.
While wondering if this was really okay, I was about to be forced to continue selling matches…
"Enough foolishness."
"Gah!"
Mr. Dollman, who had been listening nearby, dropped his fist on her head, and the plan was scrapped.
That was followed by a lecture about not playing with soldiers' feelings for money.
…I'd respect Reitalyu a lot more if she didn't have such a tendency to go out of control.