An ostensibly interest-free church loan binds Carl to Emberus and accelerates if the financed ring is lost.
The ring enchantment costs one million gold. Carl pays ten thousand and borrows the remaining 990,000 from the Temple of Emberus under its martyr program.
Pater Coal says the debt carries no interest, but an unexplained asterisk accompanies the system notice. While the debt remains, Carl cannot renounce his religion and must make payments at an Emberus shrine.
The ring cannot be sold while financed. Losing it accelerates payment, and expulsion from the church while wearing it activates its curse.
A fiery religious contract chained to a ring and a shrine payment ledger.
The loan gives Carl immediate tactical protection by deepening both financial and religious dependence.