[FairyKing]

Personally, I didn't read that scene as Buster being weak, more as him being strategic and experienced. He and three other skilled swordsmen just got beat by an enemy who appeared out of nowhere and who they've never fought before. Not to mention, that unexpected foe is helping a former SoL knight who's suspected of betraying the guild. The last time that happened was 15 years ago, in a battle which cost many SoL knights their lives. I don't think we've been told exactly how many knights died, but I'll bet it was more than four. And Buster's brave, but he's not reckless, and he's not going to drag the other three into danger when it would be smarter to retreat and try to learn more about what they're up against.

But the line itself though is kind of a cliche villain line, I'm pretty sure actual villains have said it word-for-word when they just lost a fight but the writers weren't ready to kill them off.