Can you use the Messages.app with iCloud WITHOUT storing chat history/attachments locally?

Why does the Messages.app store the message history/attachments locally? My 'User/Library/Messages' folder is over 45GB. Why isn't there an option to store it in iCloud only without disabling iCloud? At the very least they should let people specify the folder directory they want to store it on, like they do in the Photos.app. Previously on Catalina I'd just make a zip of that 'Attachments' folder and drive it on an external, then delete from my HD. That method seems a bit archaic in 2021... does anyone have a better way of doing it or does Apple have a feature I'm overlooking? I'd appreciate any info. (BTW, I'm on a MBP w/ Big Sur).