All a garden is in danger from are vermin: insects, rabbits, and the like. Indeed...

[Holding up a sword bought from town and looking at its tip, Maximilian frowns, bored out of his mind. His normally pristine white coat and pants are now covered with mud and dirt. Forget the pittance earned and ranks acquired. There is nothing here that could further the crown prince's acquisition of power in this place.]

What is needed is not a sword, but pesticide. Otherwise, this is a job for felines, not man. This is naught but work meant to keep idle hands busy, you understand.