While investigating the fortresses, one of the musketeers noticed an imperial guard post. Curious, he walked toward it. He approached the door and slowly began to open it.
Bang!
A shot rang out from behind the door. He staggered, then collapsed to the ground.
“Haha! Got you, you damned Swedish soldier!” mocked one of the garrison soldiers, laughing triumphantly.
“Grr…” A low, lion-like growl.
The garrison soldier stopped laughing. “Did you hear that?” he asked quietly, his smile slowly fading.
“Hear what?” replied his comrade, confused.
The garrison soldier stared at the corpse. His gaze shifted slightly toward the shadow cast by the lamplight. He froze—seeing the corpse’s shadow shaped like a lion’s face with horns, and a faint fiery glow from the bullet wound.
“The Empire… will… fall…” came a deep, slow voice from the corpse.
“Shut up, damn you!” the soldier screamed, trembling.
The garrison soldier immediately fired three more shots into the corpse.
The gunshots rang out clearly—alerting the Swedish troops, who rushed toward the source. A cavalryman dismounted and slowly approached his fallen comrade. One of the musketeers grabbed his shoulder. “Wait,” he whispered.
The musketeer pulled his rifle from his back. He raised his right hand. With his fingers, he began counting. One… two… three…
The musketeers immediately charged. The door was kicked open.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A barrage of gunfire erupted. Within seconds, the entire imperial garrison inside the post was dead.
After clearing and investigating the area, a thousand troops were left behind to hold the position and establish a critical logistics point for troop movement, supplies, and communications.
George’s troops moved toward Stettin, securing Pomerania to be used as their main base. Along the way, they captured small towns and drove out or eliminated imperial garrisons. Bogislaw XIV, the old and frail Duke of Pomerania, was pressured by both the Empire and the Swedes. Although Sweden arrived as an invader (as they had no official permission from the local ruler or the Empire), they did not heavily burden the local people through plunder, forced taxes, or conscription.
To secure their position in Pomerania, the Swedes offered protection to Bogislaw XIV. They promised to defend the territory from imperial threats on one condition—the Swedish troops would be allowed to stay and operate freely there.
Bogislaw XIV accepted the offer and then signed the Treaty of Stettin on September 4, 1630. The main points of the treaty included:
1. Swedish troops were officially permitted to be in Pomerania.
2. The Duke of Pomerania would remain the civil ruler, but military power would be taken over by Sweden.
3. Sweden was allowed to build fortifications, establish logistics, and use the ports.
4. Pomerania would not aid the Empire and would, in effect, become a secret ally of Sweden.
After the treaty was signed, the Swedish troops immediately moved on to Greifswald and Stralsund. Robert, along with 1,000 cavalry and musketeers, was ordered by George to lead the troops to Stralsund to secure control over the Baltic Sea coast. Meanwhile, George stayed in Greifswald to build a supply chain and ensure the army’s logistics remained stable.
Upon arriving in Stralsund, Robert and his troops set up a camp of large tents. Inside, there were beds and basic supplies. Night fell. Robert stepped outside his camp. He saw many soldiers still awake—some wandering around, some sitting by campfires, even some playing cards. Someone approached Robert.
“You smoke?” the man asked, offering a pack of cigarettes.
“Yeah, thanks,” Robert replied, pulling one from the pack. “You got a lighter?” he asked.
“Oh, right, hold on,” the man said, digging into his pocket before handing Robert a gas lighter.
Robert took it and lit his cigarette.
“Have you felt that something strange has been going on during our journey?” the man asked as he slowly exhaled smoke.
“Strange? What do you mean?” Robert asked, puzzled.
“Well… when we had just left Usedom island, I heard a lion’s growl. Not only that, I saw something moving quickly among the trees in the forest, and… I just heard a lot of hoofbeats a moment ago. I’m sure there aren’t any stray horses running around here because the cavalry have already tied theirs up,” the man said, staring at Robert, trying to convince him.
“Are you sure you haven’t been drinking something?” Robert asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You think I was drunk?” he snapped, offended by the accusation. “Come on… I’m not a drinker.”
Robert let out a small laugh, thinking it was just a coward’s joke. “Alright, my friend, I believe you,” Robert said, patting him on the shoulder. “Okay, I’ll be going now. Thanks for the entertainment,” he added, then walked away.
“Damn it, why does no one ever believe my story,” the man grumbled in frustration.