User blog comment:TheCarrotSaysYumYum/FT0 8 - Magnolia is on Fire?/Blue Cat Happy, Review./@comment-25111584-20150220171721/@comment-7418318-20150223095059

No I didn't, but Walrod's appearance would just add to his confusion and thus inattention to the surroundings.

In his arrogance he probably thought that the other three fled and only Walrod worked up the courage to stay... that is if he had had the time to think.

First he's surprised that Walrod is there at all, then he's surprised that he can use magic, then after seemingly attacking him Walrod immediately runs off and then he sees the town on fire. And while he was still reeling from all those surprises and the shock of seeing his beloved town on fire, he was already inside of Mavis' trap.

Sure if you look at it from the outside it might seem odd, but try to look at it from his perspective and with the timing in mind. It was all happening so fast that his wits couldn't keep up with the situation.

It was still a risky plan (both this part and sending only Yury and Precht into the real town), but also a clever one.