Quote Originally Posted by Enkidoh View Post
Also I think the use of lake in the plural was simply for dramatic effect, which for propaganda is all important, and is especially here, driving home the Empire's holier-than-thou attitude that all lands potentially belong to them and are simply waiting for the time for Garlemald to arrive and "show them the way".
I think so too. Also, even if someone challenged the literal meaning, there are several smaller bodies of water in Gyr Abania that people apparently count as lakes as well; Grimm and Enid was mentioned in the Lore Panel.

And if we were to continue being literal, the anthem only talks about Aldenard, so Vylbrand (and La Noscea and Limsa Lominsa) is completely safe from Garlean aggression. (Again, the lore panel notes that the Garleans have no interest in annexing Hingashi, since they care about the mainland continents, not the islands.) And yet Castrum Occidens (near Wineport) is a thing.