The Dawn Goddess felt an immense annoyance towards these matters, yet she found herself unable to voice her thoughts, forced to endure in silence.
Some things are not as simple as one imagines.
The nefarious outer god's presence here suggested that it certainly held some cards up its sleeve.
Blood slowly trickled from the corners of Scarlett's mouth, her spirit visibly waning.
The surrounding black mist grew denser, incessantly corroding the protective barrier created by the white mist.
Scarlett's hand clenched tightly around her staff, as if it were her sole reliance.
The gaze of the Dawn Goddess sharpened, and soon, a vast, sacred white figure emerged behind Scarlett.
This figure contrasted starkly with the black mist, as if under the illumination of this white light, no evil could ever arise in this world.
Yet, the black mist was compressed to a third of the church's space, showing no sign of retreat behind this dark silhouette.
If one were to observe from outside the church, the scene within would appear utterly horrifying, distinctly divided into two camps.
The ground was covered with vines, which now were thoroughly dyed black.
These black vines swayed with the wind, like the tentacles of a demon flaunting its presence.
Although Scarlett felt apprehensive, she dared not take the situation lightly, knowing well that the artifact was linked to the dark god.
Should she encounter it directly, her body might also succumb to corruption, making it exceedingly difficult to protect John afterward.
"By the name of the Dawn Goddess, I judge you!" she declared.
The vast white figure behind Scarlett raised its staff and slammed it down to the ground.
In that instant, ripples of white light spread outward ceaselessly.
The black mist touched by these white ripples dissipated almost instantly, like morning fog vanishing under the sun's embrace.
After dissipating, the black mist seemed to weaken gradually, uncontrollably shrinking back into a hexagram.
If it had appeared nonchalant at first, it now exhibited a markedly different demeanor.
It was as if facing immense pain, the entire silhouette twisting continuously.
Scarlett closed her eyes, striving not to witness these events, for she was acutely aware that any significant contamination by the dark god—even with the protection of the Dawn Goddess—would surely lead to catastrophe.
She was merely human, far from the divine, and the wars between deities were not something a mere mortal like her could withstand.
Thus, all she needed to do was endure this onslaught.
The dark god, thoroughly displeased, found himself confined within a hexagram and couldn't help but let out a mocking laugh.
Instantly, the black mist within the entire church surged tumultuously.
The black mist rolled and surged like boundless demons eroding the white mist.
The sounds of the white shield being corroded were numerous as they entangled, sizzling and crackling in the air, causing dizziness to anyone who heard them.
John's face involuntarily showed a pained expression, as if sensing something disturbing in his sleep.
Blood trickled from Scarlett's eyes, with more visibly at the corners of her mouth.
"Judgment? When you wretches gathered before, there was no judgment. And now, alone, you dare speak of it?"
It was as if he heard a particularly amusing joke, and then, the black mist launched a massive counterattack.
In an instant, the white mist was compressed near Scarlett, and even the luminous figure behind her began to flicker.
The Dawn Goddess was nearing her limit, her power already scant from reliance on slumber for accumulation.
Unexpectedly, today it seemed she would exhaust it all, and now it appeared impossible to save them all.
But now, at this most critical moment, there was no longer any option to hide; survival was the only priority.
The Dawn Goddess glanced at John, still in a coma, and felt increasing disgust.
For such a despicable man, her chosen earthly vessel was willing to sacrifice so much.
Moreover, this man harbored the power of other deities.
As long as that deity appeared, John would certainly not die.
Yet now, it was clear Scarlett failed to see this.
For the sake of this man, she was intent on saving him, but the situation had deteriorated badly.
Without any hesitation, the Dawn Goddess unleashed her greatest power.
A massive orb of light smashed into the dark silhouette, momentarily dissipating the black mist.
However, it quickly gathered again, as if it had sustained no damage at all.
But Scarlett felt the pressure in the air lighten slightly.
John's expression also began to change, which was peculiar.
What exactly was happening?
It seemed the Dawn Goddess still possessed the ability to fight alone.
Just as Scarlett breathed a sigh of relief, she saw the dark god across from her and couldn't help but scoff.
The pressure in the air intensified again.
This was a force she had never encountered before; in that instant, she nearly vomited blood.
But she held it back forcibly because she felt she could still endure.
If she couldn't hold on, what would become of John?
"Get back!" the Dawn Goddess thundered, as white light once again burst forth throughout the church.
The dark silhouette was thoroughly suppressed, but soon it recovered.
"Interesting," it seemed to express some intrigue, and then directed the black mist towards Scarlett.
In an instant, Scarlett spat out blood, speckling the white mist in front of her with droplets of red.
But she quickly regained control, knowing well this was no trivial matter.
The Dawn Goddess felt her divine power rapidly waning.
All the strength she had accumulated over this period was vanishing in this very moment.
Yet, the dark god's power showed no sign of diminishing, and all that remained was to wait for the hexagram's summoning duration to end.
But no one knew what the so-called sacrificer had invested, nor how long his so-called "New Reign of the Six Kings" could last.
If today was just a matter of minutes, she might be able to hold on a little longer.
But if the duration was extended, then they might only have death to await.
Biting her teeth, the Dawn Goddess held nothing back this time, deploying her last reserves of dawn's power.
"In the name of the Dawn Goddess, I judge you!"
Boom! Boom!
A massive surge of energy exploded upon the black mist.
Even with its rapid self-healing ability, the mist was still significantly dispersed at this moment.
For the first time, it harbored a sense of rage.
As the black mist gradually thinned, it spoke, "Do you think by making me leave now, your planet will be safe? Sooner or later, I will return."
The mist slowly swirled in the air, and the last wisp of it drifted towards John, entering directly into the center of his brow.
Seeing this, Scarlett was horrified!