Center Bishop
The Center Bishop is a character in Shin Megami Tensei II.
Profile
The Messian Bishop that governs Tokyo Millennium on behalf of the Elders in the Center.
Game Appearances
Shin Megami Tensei II
When Aleph is brought back to the Center by Zayin, he is greeted by the Center Bishop, who, after scolding Hiroko for going AWOL and ordering some Holy Knight guards to escort her to his office, claims that Aleph had been kidnapped by the scientist Mekata and erased his memories. He tells him that he is really the Messiah, destined to save the people and turn Tokyo Millennium into a true Millennium Kingdom. He then introduces his chosen partner Beth to him, and then orders the two of them to defeat demons causing havoc around the city. First, he asks that they defeat two demons that appeared in Holytown, King Frost and Basilisk, who have killed many people by freezing the area and spreading poisonous gas respectively. After they have been defeated, he then informs the duo about a situation occurring in the Factory; A demon called Betelgeuse has appeared at the Factory's Excavation Site, and his appearance has caused the Demi-Nandi there to rampage, so he sends Aleph's party to deal with them.
This section contains spoilers. (Skip Section)
After Aleph and Beth return from their visit to Arcadia, they are alerted by the Bishop of demons having invaded the Center, but more importantly, of a false Messiah who is claiming to be the true Messiah. The Bishop fears that Millennium will fall into chaos if he continues to have his way, so he asks that Aleph use any means necessary to defeat him.
After Daleth is defeated at the Colosseum, the Bishop comes forward to say that this was all according to the prophecy; A false Messiah would appear claiming to be the Messiah, only to be defeated by the real Messiah, proclaiming to the crowd that Aleph is the true Messiah that has finally been sent by God.
Later, in response to Zayin's rebellion, the Center Bishop appears on the Millennium News Network to announce that lest Zayin turn himself in, all the air in Holytown will be cut off, which will kill everyone in Holytown. When Aleph goes to the Center HQ's command room, he finds the Center Bishop waiting for him, who simply tells him that he is no longer one to give him any orders and that the Elders wish to speak to him directly.
After this event, the Center Bishop does not appear or is mentioned again.
Visionaries
The Center Bishop is featured in eight Visionary cutscenes in the Game Boy Advance and iOS versions of the game.
In "The 13th Report", the Bishop calls Zayin to his office to inform him that Daleth has escaped the Center. As this is all part of the prophecy, he orders Zayin to secretly keep watch over him until the true Messiah appears to defeat him.
In "Practice Wooden Sword", Daleth attends a theological lecture held by the Bishop meant to teach him about the Messiah and not-so-subtlely places the idea in his head that he himself is the long-awaited Messiah. The Bishop cruelly snickers to himself at the end of the lecture.
In "#0 Prophecy File", the Center Bishop continues to teach and manipulate Daleth into thinking he is the destined Messiah. He tells him that the prophecy details that the Messiah must undergo much suffering in the wilderness all alone and gain the favor of the people. He insists the prophecy cannot be defied, and then tells Daleth that the final trial of the Messiah is to defeat the false Messiah, who will appear with a grudge against the true Messiah and seek only to increase his own fame. From all the information the Center Bishop has told him, Daleth concludes that the ultimate goal of the Messiah is to defeat the Anti-Messiah, to which the Bishop plainly states that it is clearly written in the prophecy.
In "Silver Rosary", Beth is asked a multitude of questions by a priest while the Bishop and Red Elder observe. The questions are related to Beth's obedience and submission to the Messiah, and at first, the Elder interjects that her extreme dedication might be a bit much, but he is reassured by the Bishop that this attitude is exactly what they should want considering her purpose. Beth is then asked what she would do if the Messiah and God were to fight, and while a bit reluctant, she says she would choose to help the Messiah. The Elder and Bishop note that this was the expected answer from her and watch as the priest lightly admonishes her and tells her the correct answer is that God would not make such a mistake, as it is impossible for the Messiah and God to be in conflict with one another. Beth hesitantly agrees to the answer and the scene cuts back to the Bishop and the red Elder, with the former saying that it is necessary to teach her such an answer so that she learns the greatness of God. The Elder decides to let the Bishop proceed how he wishes on the matter but notes that she appears to be a bit too selfless and hopes that it will not backfire on them.
In "Cracked Flask", Mekata discusses the need for a fifth body for the Messiah Project with the Bishop. Though Mekata warns him that the chances the fifth body survives accelerated growth is less than 100%, the Bishop dismisses his concerns and tells him that the body should be able to survive it no matter how fast they set it's growth rate. Mekata tries to convince him that more time is needed to ensure the body doesn't fail, but the Bishop responds by saying that if it does fail, they will simply move on to another body for the experiment. The Bishop justifies his attitude by saying that it is the body's duty to undergo the experiment, and even if they cannot withstand the acceleration, their soul will surely be saved by God. He tells Mekata that as a scientist, Mekata does not need to worry about what happens to its soul, making Mekata reluctantly concede to his orders.
In "Order of Messiah Ceremonial Clothes", a priest who eventually becomes the Center Bishop is called to meet with the Red Elder. The Elder views him as a promising priest, and so wishes to make him take command of Tokyo Millennium's construction, something the priest views as a high honor. When the priest mentions that he sees the Elders as his predecessors, the Elder corrects him, stating that their true natures are far different from that of the priest. The Priest speculates a bit about this, but after the Elder praises his dedication to the Messian Chruch, decides to excuse himself, leaving the other Elders to come out of hiding and discuss him.
In "Bloody Bullet", Zayin hurriedly approaches the Bishop to get him to call off the execution of a child, but he is rebuffed, as the Bishop tells him regardless of if they are children, anyone who opposes Millennium must be eliminated. Once the news comes through that the execution was carried out successfully, the Bishop tells a baffled Zayin that the law must be obeyed.
In "Ice Crown", the Bishop approaches a Jack Frost in Holytown and offers to give it more power. At first, the Jack Frost is uninterested in his proposition, but is quickly enticed by the Bishop's claims that he could make him into a Tyrant class demon that could freeze a whole area. Though the Bishop tells him it is on the condition that he can only freeze Holytown, Jack Frost enthusiastically accepts the deal, then being instructed to go into a room that will turn him into King Frost. As the Jack Frost leaves, the Bishop quietly remarks about how much harder it is to bait fairies than it is to bait people with the prophecy of the Messiah.
- End of spoilers.
Trivia
- In Shin Megami Tensei II's English patch by Aeon Genesis, the Bishop references John's prophecy in the Book of Revelations when speaking to Aleph for the first time. This is a misnomer however; In the japanese script for the game, this line does not exist.[1]
Nomenclature
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese
|
センター司教 | Center Bishop |
Gallery
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Sprite in Shin Megami Tensei II (Playstation).
Notes
References
- ↑ "センター司教：アレフよ よくぞ もどってくれました あなたは センターから さらわれた時 目加田に記憶を消されました 本来 自分が行うべき事も あなたは 覚えていないようです アレフよ あなたは 救世主となるのです メシアとなる 定めを背負って 生を受けたのです あなたのすばらしい力は 人々を救うために あるのです 我々は かつてトウキョウと呼ばれた この地に ”ミレニアム”をつくりました 荒れ果てた世界で 人々を救うため 人々が 永遠に平和な日々をおくれる 千年王国を 現実のものとするために そして 我々のミレニアムが 真の千年王国となるためには 我々を導く メシアが必要となりました そこへ 生まれてきたのがあなたです あなたこそ 神が救世主として 我々に つかわされた御方なのです" Shin Megami Tensei II (SFC). Published by Atlus.